VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.- The Randolph men's volleyball team went on the road Wednesday to face Virginia Wesleyan in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference match. The WildCats claimed the opening set but the Marlins came back to win the next three sets as they defeated Randolph 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 19-25, 20-25).
Randolph's overall record drops to 7-11 overall and 2-4 in ODAC play.
The host Marlins got out in front in the first set as the led 9-6. Randolph used an 11-2 run to move ahead and lead 17-11. VWU closed to within two points at 18-16. The WildCats pushed ahead 21-16 with points coming from two Marlins attack errors and a service ace by
Elijah Woods (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory HS). Virginia Wesleyan then went on a 7-2 run to tie the set at 23-23. A kill and a service ace by
Mats Beentjes (Beverwijk, The Netherlands Kennemer College) provided the 'Cats the last two points they needed to win the frame 25-23.
Randolph had a 10-9 lead in the second set until the Marlins pulled away with a 5-1 run to lead 14-11. The WildCats countered with a 4-1 run to go ahead 16-15. VWU took a 17-16 lead and the two teams then exchanged points. With the score at 23-23, the Marlins tallied the last two points to win the set 25-23.
Virginia Wesleyan led 13-9 in the third set. The WildCats could not sustain a run to overtake the Marlins as VWU's lead dipped to no less than two points. The Marlins pulled away late with a 7-3 run to win the set 25-19.
The WildCats started strong in the fourth set as they went ahead 6-2. The Marlins cut into the lead as they knotted the frame at 8-all. Randolph took an 11-9 lead but Virginia Wesleyan went on a 5-1 run to go up 14-12. A pair of Marlin errors allowed the WildCats to tie at 14-14. After several ties and lead changes, the set stood at 20-20. Virginia Wesleyan scored the last five points of the frame to win 25-20 and claim the match.
Shamel Smith (Tamarac, Fla.) led with 10 kills and five block assists on the night for Randolph. Beentjes finished with eight kills and five digs.
Conner Maher (Buckeye, Ariz./Odyssey Institute) totaled 33 assists. Woods led in digs with nine.
Randolph is back on the road next Wednesday when it goes to Averett. Game time from Danville will be at 3:00 pm and the WildCats will also face Bethany College at 5:00 p.m.