NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Mallory Carter and Tori Puryear had 14 and 11 kills, respectively as Randolph-Macon topped Gallaudet, 3-0, in the first-round of the 2012 NCAA Division III Volleyball Tournament being held at Christopher Newport. 

The win ups R-MC's record to 24-6 on the season and it will take on the winner of Washington and Lee and the host Captains in the round of 32 on Saturday at 5:00.  The win marks the fourth NCAA Tournament victory for the R-MC program.

Randolph-Macon led throughout the first game before a Jessica Isreal kill put Gallaudet out in front for the first time at 22-21. 

Hilary Jessee sparked a 3-0 run that was capped by a Carter winner to put R-MC up 24-22.  GC was able to rally to tie the game, but the Bison would commit two consecutive errors to give the Jackets the opening game. 

With the score 9-8 in game-two, a Courtney Lowers kill sparked a rally that proved to be an 8-1 run to put the Yellow Jackets out in front 17-9.   The Yellow Jackets would hit .375 for the game as they took control of the match with a 25-17 victory.

In game three, the Jackets jumped out to a 6-0 lead on a Puryear killed and never looked back.  GC was able to close the gap to 9-7, but R-MC would score 10 of the next 14 points en route to a 25-16 victory.  

Puryear hit .625 for the match, connecting on 11-of-16 chances with just one error.  Lowers chipped in with seven kills and Jessica Sears had six.  Bailey Troia dished out 23 assists. 

Defensively, Marli Dabareiner had 22 digs, Sears had 17 and Carter had 11 stops for the Jackets.  Puryear had four block assists, while Jesse had three.

www.rmcathletics.com