LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph men's volleyball team made the short trip across town to the University of Lynchburg as the WildCats faced the Hornets in an ODAC battle. The Hornets defeated the 'Cats 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 26-24).

Randolph drops to 8-7 overall and 1-4 in the ODAC. Lynchburg improves to 4-5 and 2-1 in the conference.

The Hornets jumped on the WildCats in the first set as they went out in front 14-5. Randolph tried to close the gap late but Lynchburg was too much as it took the frame 25-17.

Lynchburg led the WildCats 11-2 in the second set. The Hornets' lead was 18-7 but the 'Cats showed some life with a 7-0 run to pull to 18-14. That would be as close as Randolph would get as the Hornets outlasted the WildCats 7-3 to win the set 25-17.

The third set saw the WildCats take a small lead on Lynchburg as it was ahead at one point 10-9. While the Hornets briefly took the lead away at 11-10, the 'Cats came back to go out in front 15-13. The Hornets tied the set at 15-all but Randolph pulled away and was up 21-18. Lynchburg came back to tie at 21-21 and the two teams then exchanged points. The Hornets moved to match point at 24-23 but Noel Schmid's (Wiesau, Germany Stiftland-Gymnasium) kill tied it at 24-24. In the end, Lynchburg tallied the last two points it needed to claim the set 26-24 and win the match.

Schmid led Randolph with 10 kills on the night and hit .350. Shamel Smith (Tamarac, Fla) added nine kills. Conner Maher (Buckeye, Ariz./Odyssey Institute) had 16 assists and five digs. Ian Arce (Sneads Ferry, N.C./Dixon HS) contributed 13 assists.

The WildCats are back home on Saturday for a tri-match. Randolph hosts Averett at 2:00pm and then Wilson College at 6:00 p.m.