LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Looking to get back in the win column, the Randolph WildCats women's volleyball team swept the Sweet Briar Vixens on Tuesday evening, 25-7, 25-23, 25-11.
Leading 11-6 in the opening set, Ava Berger sparked the Randolph offense from the service line, recording four aces during a decisive 14-1 run to close out the frame. In the second set, the 'Cats rotated in younger players while bringing back some starters to stabilize the offense and defense. Sweet Briar made things interesting late, taking a 23-22 lead, but a Vixens service error, a Makayla Waiters service ace, and a Destanie Ambers kill locked up the set and gave Randolph a 2-0 match lead. The WildCats wasted little time in the third, racing out to a 10-4 lead and allowing just seven more points the rest of the way to complete the sweep.
As a team, Randolph totaled 29 kills, led by Kelsey Bowler's 13, and dominated from the service line with 13 aces to Sweet Briar's three. The 'Cats also recorded 44 digs, led by Ambers, and 20 assists, including 12 from Berger. Ambers surpassed 200 kills on the season, bringing her total to 203. First-year Carly Schopp is just two assists shy of 375 and ranks 20th in program history in single-season assists per set, averaging 5.74 across 65 sets. Defensively, Randolph held the Vixens to a -.051 hitting percentage, with just two Sweet Briar players hitting above .000.
With the victory, Randolph improves to 12-7 overall and 3-3 in ODAC play. The WildCats now prepare for a three-match weekend, beginning with a short trip across town to face rival Lynchburg on Friday, Oct. 16. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m.
