(ASHLAND, Va.) – No. 15 Randolph-Macon's undefeated season came to an end as it took No. 9 Southern Virginia the full five sets on Thursday evening. The Yellow Jackets held a 2-1 lead, but the Knights were able to come from behind and take the fourth and fifth sets for the win.

It was the Lemon and Black's first match as a ranked team in program history, and although it fell in five sets, Randolph-Macon showed it belonged by taking the defending conference champions and one of the national semifinalists from 2021 to five sets.

The Basics

Score: No. 15 Randolph-Macon 2, No. 9 Southern Virginia 3 (25-17, 25-27, 20-25, 25-18, 18-16)

Venue: Crenshaw Gymnasium

Records: No. 15 Randolph-Macon 8-1, 0-1 CVC; No. 9 Southern Virginia 7-1, 2-0)

How It Happened

• A fast start by the Knights saw the visitors jump out to a 5-0 lead and road the momentum to a 20-11 lead. The Yellow Jackets were able to cut the deficit thanks to a 4-1 run before SVU eventually closed out the set to take the 1-0 lead.
• The second set fared much better for the Lemon and Black. Three consecutive errors by Southern Virginia left the Jackets with a 9-4 lead and forced the visitors to call timeout. After the Knights scored the next two points, R-MC answered with a 5-1 run. SVU eventually came back to tie the set at 23-all before both teams exchanged the next four points. The Jackets were then able to close out the set on a Knights service error and a kill by Kolby Gibson (Jr., Bumpass, Va. / Louisa).
• Another quick start by the Jackets kept momentum on their side as they opened up the third on a 5-1 run. The Knights were able to remain close for most of the game until R-MC surged ahead at the end of the third. A Drew Klein (So., Glen Allen, Va. / Glen Allen) kill, ace, and block by Gibson gave the hosts their largest lead at 24-18 and eventually took the 2-1 lead on an SVU error.
• After SVU tied the match in the fourth, the teams went nearly point-for-point in the fifth. A 4-1 rally left the Jackets with a 13-12 lead after a kill by Gio DeLuca (So., Glen Allen, Va. / Glen Allen), and a Knights error left the hosts with a chance to win the match at 14-13. The Knights were able to force their way back and eventually close out the match on a Nahuel Recabarren kills and a Steve Rasmansen ace.

Inside The Numbers

• Gibson led the Yellow Jackets offense with 15 kills on 32 attempts for a hitting percentage of .344. Klein was one behind him with 14 and picked up a double-double with 10 digs.
• DeLuca registered seven kills on 11 attempts for a hitting percentage of .636.
• Cade Terrell (So., Glen Allen, Va. / Deep Run) set up the offense with 42 assists for a new season best.
• Recabarren led the match with 28 kills and hit .480 despite being ejected for part of the match when he picked up a second red card in the fourth set.

Up Next

A tri this weekend will see the Yellow Jackets head to Juniata where they will also take on Misericordia on Saturday.