(ASHLAND, Va.) – The Randolph-Macon men's volleyball team dropped both matches of its tri Saturday afternoon against top quality opponents. The Yellow Jackets opened the day with No. 8 Rutgers-Newark before taking on Division I Belmont Abbey who was a national qualifier a season ago.

The Basics

Scores: Randolph-Macon 0, No. 8 Rutgers-Newark 3 (25-15, 25-20, 25-20)
Randolph-Macon 2, Belmont Abbey 3 (25-22, 25-22, 21-25, 26-28, 15-11)

Venue: Crenshaw Gymnasium

Records: Randolph-Macon 13-8, 2-3 CVC
No. 8 Rutgers-Newark 17-2, 5-0 CVC
Belmont Abbey 12-8

How It Happened (Match 1 vs. Rutgers-Newark)

• The Scarlet Raiders jumped out to a fast start and led 8-2 after the first 10 points. A kill by Scotty Carter (Sr., Virginia Beach, Va. / Frank W. Cox) and two Newark errors put the Jackets back in it at 11-7, but the visitors extended their lead to 20-11 on another long rally to lead to the first set win.
• It was the Lemon and Black's turn for a fast start with an 8-3 lead to start the second. The Raiders climbed back into the contest and eventually went on a 7-0 run to take their first lead of the game at 21-17 en route to a two set lead.
• The third set was competitive throughout, but the Jackets just couldn't get over the hump. A Newark service error and an attack miscue put the score at 22-19, but the Jackets couldn't get any closer.

How It Happened (Match 2 vs. Belmont Abbey)

• Coming off of a win against Rutgers-Newark, the Crusaders were bound to be a tough opponent, but the Lemon and Black made them earn every set win. It just so happened that it took a full five sets as R-MC almost pulled off the win.
• A 7-2 run put the Jackets square at 16-all with the teams battling it out the rest of the first set. The Crusaders were able to win 4-of-5 points to make the score 23-19 and held off a late Jackets rally for a 1-0 set lead. An 8-1 rally in set two gave the Lemon and Black a 21-19 lead, but the visitors were able to close the set with six of the final seven points.
• A battle in set three kept the Jackets alive. With the score 21-all, the Jackets took the final four points to remain alive. The Jackets tied the match at two sets each, but it required some extra work. An 8-3 run put the score at 25-24 before BA scored the next two for its chance at ending the match. A Gibson kill, error by the Crusaders, and another attack error gave the Jackets a 28-26 win.
• The Jackets looked poised for the comeback with a 5-2 lead early, but Belmont Abbey answered with the next eight points. R-MC climbed back to 12-10 after a Gio DeLuca (So., Glen Allen, Va. / Glen Allen) and Cade Terrell (So., Glen Allen, Va. / Deep Run) block, but Belmont Abbey held off any further runs.

Inside The Numbers

• After a tough opening match against the Raiders, the Yellow Jackets answered with big matches from Klein and Kolby Gibson (Jr., Bumpass, Va. / Louisa) in the nightcap. Gibson provided 15 kills while Klein put down 14. Sean Cunningham (Jr., Virginia Beach, Va. / Kempsville) added five blocks, three of which were solo.

Up Next

Another big match awaits the Jackets on Tuesday when they host Marymount. First serve is set for 7 p.m.