(ASHLAND, Va.) – The first match of the season and head coach Christian Taylor's debut was a successful one as Randolph-Macon took down Bluefield in a sweep Wednesday evening. Kolby Gibson (Jr., Bumpass, Va. / Louisa) led the offense with 13 kills, a career-best in three-set matches.

The Basics

Score: Randolph-Macon 3, Bluefield 0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-19)

Venue: Crenshaw Gymnasium

Records: Randolph-Macon 1-0, Bluefield 0-1

How It Happened

• The first set saw Randolph-Macon take advantage with a 9-3 rally to take a 13-7 lead. It was its largest lead of the set which the Yellow Jackets equaled again at 16-10 after a block by Sean Cunningham (Jr., Virginia Beach, Va. / Kempsville) and Scotty Carter (Sr., Virginia Beach, Va. / Frank W. Cox). The Rams made R-MC work for the win though and came back to within two, but the Jackets closed the set with three kills by Kolby Gibson (Jr., Bumpass, Va. / Louisa).
• Bluefield looked to equalize in the second and were close to doing so. Five consecutive points in the middle stages of the game gave the visitors their largest lead of the night at any point at 18-15. R-MC was able to answer and had a 5-0 run of its own to go up 22-20. The Yellow Jackets were able to take the 2-0 lead after a service error and another Gibson kill.
• The third set belonged to the Lemon and Black from the start as they raced out to an 18-9 lead, their largest of the night. After a timeout, the Rams fought their way back to get back within two at 21-19, but kills by Gibson and Jarrett Carrano (Jr., Beaverdam, Va. / Patrick Henry) sparked a 4-0 run to close the match.

Inside The Numbers

• Gibson finished the night with a match-best 13 kills on 24 attempts with a hitting percentage of .375. Carrano added seven.
• Setting up the attack was Cade Terrell (So., Glen Allen, Va. / Deep Run) who tallied 32 assists on the evening.
• The defense was led by Cunningham up front who sent back three Rams attacks, one of which was by himself. John Saxman (So., Henrico, Va. / Mills Godwin) led the back line with six digs.
• This was the second season opening win in the last three seasons for the Yellow Jackets.
• The Rams were led by Jariel Diaz's 11 kills.

Up Next

The Yellow Jackets will have Thursday off before a busy weekend starts Friday as they host Alderson Broaddus of the NC division. R-MC will take on the Battlers again on Saturday along with Eastern Mennonite in a tri.