LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph men's volleyball team hosted Roanoke in a ODAC match on Tuesday evening at Giles Gymnasium. The WildCats trailed 1-0 and won the next two sets but the visiting Maroons would claim the final two frames to come away with a 3-2 win.
In the first set, Randolph came back from trailing early to lead 8-7. The frame would eventually be tied at 11-11 but Roanoke went on an 8-1 run to pull ahead 19-12. The 'Cats closed to 19-15 but Roanoke used a 6-0 run to win 25-15.
The WildCats had leads of 11-7 and 13-8 in the second set. They would stay out in front until the Maroons knotted the set at 20-20. Roanoke took a brief 22-21 lead but the WildCats outscored the Maroons 4-1 to win 25-23.
The lead changed hands several times throughout the third set. The set was knotted at 20-all until the 'Cats broke away with a 5-2 run to win 25-22 and take a 2-1 lead in the match.
Roanoke responded in the fourth set as it led 7-2. Randolph tried to edge its way back in but the Maroons continued to stay out in front. The WildCats got as close as two points but a service error at the end granted Roanoke its 25th point as the match headed into a deciding fifth set.
The Maroons started out strong in the final set as they got out ahead 10-3. Randolph rallied late to get to within four points but Roanoke's Cade Kinne's kill gave RC the last point it needed for the victory.
Elijah Woods (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory HS) led with 13 kills to go with six digs. Mats Beentjes (Beverwijk, The Netherlands/ Kennemer College) added 10 kills and nine digs. Conner Maher (Buckeye, Ariz./Odyssey Institute) led in assists with 29. Zachary Elbert (Milaca, Minn./Milaca HS) had a team-high 11 digs. Dante Reid (Rock Hill, S.C./Rock Hill HS) totaled six blocks (two solo, four assisted) on the night.
Randolph travels to Altoona, Pa on Friday. Match time against the Lions is 7:00 p.m.
