LYNCHBURG, Va. – In a battle for the potential seventh seed in the ODAC Tournament, the Randolph WildCats women's volleyball team and Roanoke Maroons delivered an instant classic inside Giles Gymnasium on Wednesday night. With both teams having already secured spots in the ODAC Tournament, the matchup was all about seeding. After five back-and-forth sets, the visiting Maroons came away with the victory, 18-25, 25-11, 25-16, 20-25, 15-11.
The 'Cats came out firing in the opening set, building a lead of as many as 10 points before Roanoke mounted a comeback. However, the early deficit proved too much to overcome as Randolph secured a 25-18 victory. The Maroons responded in the second and third sets, with their defense limiting the WildCats to just 11 and 16 points, respectively.
Randolph's offense came alive in the fourth set, racing out to a commanding 22-6 lead behind service aces and kills from Makayla Waiters, Alyssa Thompson, and Gabby Fenton. Roanoke fought its way back with a late run to carry momentum into the deciding fifth set. Fueled by a loud and energetic WildCats student section, Randolph battled back after the Maroons jumped out to an early 4-0 lead. The 'Cats traded points with the visitors before Roanoke put together another four-point run to take a 13-6 lead. Randolph responded with a four-point run of its own, but the Maroons claimed two of the final three points to secure the match and what appears to be the seventh seed in the upcoming ODAC Tournament.
Kelsey Bowler led the WildCats with 15 kills and nine digs, while McKayla Padgett added 12 digs and three assists. Carly Schopp continued to lead the Randolph offense, recording 17 assists. Nadia Warrior and Makayla Waiters combined for seven total blocks.
With the loss, the WildCats sit at 14-14, 4-8 in the ODAC. Randolph will host one final non-conference match before the ODAC Tournament, welcoming Johnson & Wales (N.C.) to campus on Friday, Nov. 6. The WildCats will also recognize their senior class with pregame festivities.
Randolph will return to the ODAC Tournament for the first time since 2019. The WildCats are currently the eighth seed and travel to Bridgewater for a first-round matchup on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Additional tournament details will be announced soon.
