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CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Randolph WildCats women's volleyball team opened the 2026 season with a convincing three-set victory over the Johnson & Wales Wildcats on Tuesday evening, defeating the host 25-17, 25-21, 25-12.

Randolph established its offensive rhythm early and maintained it throughout all three sets. The WildCats finished the match with 35 kills on 96 attempts, hitting .271 as a team. After hitting .182 in the opening set, Randolph improved to .273 in the second before producing its best offensive performance of the night in the third. The WildCats recorded 12 kills with just two errors on 27 swings for a blistering .370 attack percentage. The defense was equally impressive, allowing just 25 kills on 100 attacks while forcing the hosts into 21 errors.

The opening set set the tone for the match. Randolph recorded eight kills while committing just two attack errors, while its defense limited Johnson & Wales to a -.050 hitting percentage. The WildCats pulled away for a 25-17 victory and carried that momentum into the second set.

The second set saw both teams eclipse the 20-point mark, but the 'Cats continued to create separation with their offense. Randolph produced 14 kills and hit .273, eventually closing out a 25-21 victory. The visiting WildCats then put the match away in the third set, combining 12 kills with a .370 hitting percentage while holding their opponent to a -.074 mark in a 25-12 win.

Destanie Ambers led Randolph with 10 kills on 24 attacks, hitting .333 while adding six digs and a block for 12.5 points. Kelsey Bowler and Alyssa Thompson each added seven kills, with Bowler chipping in five block assists and Thompson recording a solo block and a block assist. Nadia Warrior put down five kills on seven attacks without an error to hit .571 for the match. Makayla Waiters finished with three kills and four block assists, while Mary Park added two block assists.

The WildCats finished with nine total blocks, including one solo block and 16 block assists, compared to just 2.5 total blocks for the hosts.

The defensive effort was equally important. Randolph collected 39 digs while limiting Johnson & Wales to a .038 hitting percentage for the match. Carly Schopp led the WildCats with seven digs while also recording 13 assists. McKayla Padgett and Kira Van Deusen each added six digs, while Ambers also finished with six. Randolph's defensive pressure was especially evident in the third set, when Johnson & Wales managed just five kills and committed seven attack errors.

Schopp guided the offense with 13 assists, while Ava Berger added seven and Tiffany Carr chipped in four. Randolph finished with 30 assists overall. The WildCats also paced both squads from the service line, recording 10 aces compared to two for the hosts.

The WildCats continue their season this weekend at the NC Wesleyan Invitational, where they will face Mount Aloysius and Mary Baldwin on Friday, Sept. 4, before playing a third match on Saturday, Sept. 5, against an opponent to be determined.