LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph men's volleyball team hosted Virginia Wesleyan in a key ODAC match on Wednesday night at Giles Gymnasium. The two teams played to five sets and the Marlins outlasted the WildCats 3-2 (27-25, 20-25, 22-25, 25-23, 9-15).

Randolph's overall record falls to 10-14 overall and 3-7 in ODAC play. The Marlins improve to 15-8 overall and 6-3 in the conference.

In the first set, the Marlins registered the first point but the WildCats would use a 6-1 run to lead 6-2. With Randolph holding a 7-3 lead, VWU went on an 11-2 run to go ahead 14-9. The Marlins' lead was 17-11 but the WildCats' 11-2 run pulled Randolph ahead 22-19. The set would be tied at 24-24. After exchanging points, Randolph tallied the last two points of the set to win 27-25.

The WildCats led 3-0 in the second set but the Marlins rattled off four straight points to go up 4-3. Randolph's last lead occurred at 9-8. Virginia Wesleyan's 14-5 run put the visitors ahead 22-14. The 'Cats fought back to get to within three points at 22-19. VWU outscored the WildCats 3-1 to win the set 25-20 and tie the match at 1-1.

Randolph got out to a 6-2 lead in the third set but the Marlins scored five straight times to go ahead 7-6. The WildCats took the lead back at 9-7. After swapping points, the WildCats went on a 4-2 run to go up 16-13. The Marlins took the lead away as they used a 5-0 run to lead 18-16. A late WildCat run gave the home team a 22-21 edge but Virginia Wesleyan scored the last four points to win 25-22.

Leading 5-4 in the fourth set, the WildCats broke the set open with a 10-1 run to lead 15-5. Randolph had a comfortable lead and looked to pull away from the Marlins. Virginia Wesleyan thought otherwise as it's 5-0 run got the score to 23-22. The WildCats were able to stave off the Marlin rally as they won 25-23 to force a deciding fifth set.

In the fifth set, the Marlins started off on a 4-0 run and eventually led 6-3. The WildCats closed to within one at 8-7. Virginia Wesleyan then went on a game changing 7-2 run in the end to claim the set 15-9 and win the match.

Mats Beentjes (Beverwijk, The Netherlands Kennemer College) had a double-double effort of 21 kills and 10 digs. Elijah Woods (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory HS) also had a double-double of 16 kills and 13 digs. Samuel Looney (Fort Worth, Texas/Trinity Valley HS) was the team leader in digs with 14. Conner Maher (Buckeye, Ariz./Odyssey Insitute) added 10 digs and a team-high 42 assists. Ahmed Diallo (Aurora, Colo./Overland HS) had six total blocks to go along with four kills and three digs.

Randolph travels to Regent on Saturday for its final non-conference match of the season. Game time will be at 2:00 p.m.