MISENHEIMER, N.C.- The Randolph volleyball team traveled to the campus of Pfeiffer University on Saturday. The WildCats faced Guilford and the host Falcons. Randolph was able to defeat Pfeiffer in the last match of the day 3-2 (25-22, 21-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-12).
In the first set, the score was tied 1-1 before the WildCats went on a 5-0 run aided by back-back service aces by Tomi-Lauren McGinnis (Ringgold, Va./Dan River). The Falcons closed the gap to one point, 6-5, but the 'Cats pushed their lead to 10-5. Pfeiffer closed to within a point of tying the match up on several occasions but the WildCats were able to hold their lead. Leading 24-22, Brooke Murdock (Evington, Va./Timberlake Christian) ended the set with a kill to put Randolph ahead 1-0.
The second set saw the Falcons break a 1-1 tie and score four straight points to go ahead 5-1. Pfeiffer went ahead 19-10 late in the frame. Randolph was able to rally and close to within two points at 23-21 but Pfeiffer got the last two points it needed off of two WildCat attack errors to even the match at 1-1.
Pfeiffer led 8-3 in the third set. The WildCats slowly chipped away at their deficit as they would eventually go up ahead 13-12. After the Falcons got two kills to lead 14-13, the 'Cats went on an 8-2 run to take a 21-16 lead. Pfeiffer was able to tie at 23-all but the WildCats got a kill by Murdock and an attack error on Pfieffer to get the last two points to win the set and go ahead 2-1 in the match.
The Falcons took the first three points of the fourth set on their way to an eventual 11-6 lead. Randolph came back to get to within a point of tying at 11-10. Pfeiffer added on to its lead and was up 23-16. The WildCats came roaring back as they rattled off five straight points to make it 23-21. The Falcons would hold off the 'Cats in the end and win the set 25-22 to force the match to a deciding fifth set.
In the final set, Randolph had leads of 4-1 and 5-2 early on. The hosts recovered to take over the WildCats and go up 10-7. The 'Cats scored three times to tie the set at 10-all. Pfeiffer led 12-10 but Randolph answered with five straight points which ended with a kill by Melody Washington (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor) to win the set 15-12 and claim the match.
Three WildCats reached double figures in kills led by McGinnis' 14. She added seven digs, three service aces, and two block assists. Brooklyn Finnerty (Lynchburg, Va./Timberlake) added 12 kills and three solo blocks. Logan Warren (Chesterfield, Va./Steward School) had 10 kills and seven digs. Madison Daniels (Warrenton, Va./Liberty HS) led with 18 digs. Jayda Domenech (Virginia Beach, Va./Kempsville) and Viviana Gustin (Virginia Beach, Va./Bayside) both chipped in eight and nine digs, respectively. Washington finished with a career high 34 assists. Murdock totaled 13 blocks (nine assisted and four solo) which sets a new Randolph record and tops the previous record of 12 set by Marissa McClinton in 2014.
Randolph dropped its first match of the day to the Quakers 3-0 (22-25, 15-25, 20-25). Murdock led in kills with nine. Finnerty tallied seven kills and two service aces. Washington had 19 assists.
Randolph returns home to host Salem College on Wednesday. Match time is at 6:30 p.m.
