SALEM, Va.- The Randolph women's volleyball team played the first of four matches that they will play this weekend at the Maroon Classic hosted by Roanoke College. The WildCats fell to Salem 3-1 in the first match and 3-2 to N.C. Wesleyan in their second match.
In the first set against the Spirit, the two teams exchanged points with Salem holding a 6-5 lead. The Spirit then went on an 8-1 run to go ahead 14-6. The WildCats closed to 16-10 but Salem used a 9-3 run down the stretch to take the set 25-13.
Randolph got out to a 4-0 lead in the second set and went ahead 11-3 on the Spirit. Salem came back to close to within four points at 18-14. The WildCats put up four points to go ahead 22-14. Salem rallied to get to within four points at 23-19. A kill by Jamie Galinis (Greenville, N.C./DH Conley) and a service ace by Brooklyn Finnerty (Lynchburg, Va./Timberlake) gave the WildCats the last two points they needed to win 25-19.
Salem started the third set up 3-0. Randolph came back to tie twice at 3-3 and 4-4. The Spirit pushed ahead as they took a big 17-9 lead. The 'Cats closed to within four at 21-18 but Salem pulled ahead with a 4-1 run to win 25-19.
The fourth set saw Salem lead 6-2 but Randolph's 11-2 run made the score 13-8 in the WildCats' favor. The tide turned back to the Spirit as they used a 9-2 run to go up 17-15. The WildCats tied the set three times but Salem closed out the frame on a 6-1 run to win 25-20.
Galinis led the WildCats with 15 kills. Kailee Turner (Virginia Beach, Va./Kempsville) put up 31 assists. McKayla Padgett (Amherst, Va./Amherst County HS) led in digs with 21 while Caroline Towle (Warrenton, Va./Fauquier) added 20 digs.
In the N.C. Wesleyan match, the Battling Bishops started the first set on a 3-0 run. Randolph answered with a 15-5 run to go up 15-8. The WildCats were able to hold off the Battling Bishop rally as they won the set 25-16.
N.C. Wesleyan started the second set on a 6-0 run. The WildCats played from behind as they tried to catch up to the Battling Bishops. The 'Cats trailed 20-18 but went on a 7-1 run to end the set and win 25-21.
The Battling Bishops again had another strong start as they went up 8-1 in the third set. Randolph was able to rally as it closed to 11-10 but N.C. Wesleyan rattled off a 9-1 run to break away and lead 20-11. The WildCats tried to work their way back in but fell short as the Battling Bishops took the set 25-16.
The fourth set saw the lead change hands five times until the WildCats were able to push forward to take an 11-8 lead. The Battling Bishops would go on to lead 21-14. Randolph closed its deficit to 22-20 but N.C. Wesleyan was able to win the set 25-21 to force a deciding fifth frame.
N.C. Wesleyan led 3-0 to start the fifth set. Randolph rallied to lead 12-8. The Battling Bishops rattled off five points to go up 13-12. The WildCats took the lead back at 14-13 but N.C. Wesleyan outscored the 'Cats 4-1 to win 17-15 and take the match.
Finnerty led with 15 kills and hit .353. Kelsey Bowler (Fredericksburg, Va./Massaponax) added 11 kills and eight digs while hitting .323. Turner totaled 36 assists and seven digs. Abby Maldonado (High Point, N.C./Penn-Griffin SOTA) had a team-high 16 digs. Galinis had seven of Randolph's 19 service aces while Towle had four and Cameron Cox (Ruther Glen, Va./Massaponax) three.
The WildCats are back in action tomorrow for Day 2. The team will face Methodist at 10:00 am followed by Brevard at 2:00 p.m.
