DANVILLE, Va.- The Randolph volleyball team concluded its competition at the Averett University Cougar Classic on Saturday. The WildCats split two matches on the day. Randolph dropped a 3-2 decision to Bob Jones University and defeated Piedmont 3-1.

Against Bob Jones, the two teams were neck and neck early on as the Bruins led 5-4. Bob Jones then went a 10-1 run to up its lead to 15-5. Randolph closed the gap to single digits at 17-9 but Bob Jones used an 8-3 run to close out the WildCats.

The WildCats had a 9-4 lead in the second set but the Bruins wrestled the lead away with a 6-0 run to lead 10-9. The two teams would exchange leads with each other. The 'Cats had a 23-19 advantage and was able to fend off the Bruins in the end 25-23.

Randolph had an early 5-3 lead in the third set but the Bruins came back to overtake the WildCats to eventually go ahead 13-7. The WildCats closed to within three points at 19-16 but Bob Jones went on a 6-0 run to pull away for a 25-16 set win.

Leading 10-9 in the third set, Randolph forged ahead with a 14-2 run. The Bruins scored two points but Mackenzie Woodson's (Norfolk, Va./Norfolk Collegiate) kill gave the WildCats the 25^th point to force a decisive fifth set.

Randolph fell behind 6-1 in the fifth frame. Trailing 10-4, the 'Cats used a 10-2 run to come all the way back to just a point away from claiming victory. The Bruins, however, countered with four straight points to upend the WildCats and claim the set with a 16-14 win.

Brooklyn Finnerty (Lynchburg, Va./Timberlake) and Tahani Villines (Whittset, N.C./Williams) both had nine kills. Villines added three block assists and six digs. Brooke Murdock (Evington, Va./Timberlake Christian) laid down eight kills and picked up six block assists. Jayda Domenech (Virginia Beach, Va./Kempsville) finished with 17 assists and nine digs. Gracie Fulton (Staunton, Va./Riverheads) tallied 22 digs. Vivianna Gustin (Virginia Beach, Va./Bayside) chipped in 12 digs and Izzy Allen (Williamsburg, Va./Peninsula Catholic) 11 digs.

Against the Lions, Randolph got out ahead 6-1. Leading 9-5, Piedmont slowly started to chip away at the WildCat lead. Down 10-7, the Lions went on a 5-1 run to go up 12-11. Randolph got the lead back but Piedmont used a 9-3 run to go ahead 21-17. The 'Cats closed to 23-21 but kills from Piedmont's Kaylee Ashcraft and Jenna Ash sealed the 25-21 win for the Lions.

Piedmont led Randolph 10-7 in the second set. A 9-2 WildCat run gave them a 16-12 advantage. Piedmont closed to as little as a point but Randolph kept out in front as it was able to win 25-19 to tie the match at 1-1.

The Wildcats were ahead for the majority of the third frame. The set was tied at 11-11 but Randolph broke away with a 9-3 run to go up 19-13 and it eventually won 25-17.
Piedmont went up 19-13 in the fourth set and was ahead of Randolph 22-18. The WildCats then used a 7-1 run to overtake the Lions and edge them out 25-23 to claim the set and the match.

Finnerty was dominant as she hit .609 and totaled 15 kills and six assisted blocks. Villines and McKayla Padgett (Amherst, Va./Amherst County HS) both added eight kills each with Villines also picking up five block assists and seven digs. Fulton led in digs with 21 to go along with six assists and three service aces. Domenech led in assists with 20 and picked up 12 digs. Allen added 17 assists and eight digs. Murdock ended up with six kills, three block assists, and two service aces.

Randolph is back in action next Friday as it plays at the Maroon Classic hosted by Roanoke. The WildCats will face Hollins at 12:00 p.m. followed by Salem College at 4:00 p.m.