VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Randolph-Macon Women's Volleyball opened ODAC play on Wednesday night in Virginia Beach, falling in a five-set thriller to the reigning ODAC regular season champs, Virginia Wesleyan.
The Basics:
Scores: Virginia Wesleyan 3, Randolph-Macon 2 (23-25, 23-25, 25-13, 25-17, 15-11)
Location/Venue: Virginia Beach, Va./Virginia Wesleyan University/TowneBank Arena
Records: Randolph-Macon (5-2, 0-0 ODAC), Virginia Wesleyan (10-0, 0-0 ODAC)
How it Happened:
- The first set seemed to be all in the Marlins' favor as VWU took a 6-0 lead right away. Four straight points for RMC got them right back into the set. VWU extended their lead to double up RMC, 14-7 but two straight service aces capped off a 7-0 run to knot the score back up. The set went back-and-forth for the remainder but RMC closed it out with a 3-0 run to take a 25-23 set one win.
- RMC controlled most of the second set, with VWU never taking the lead after the Yellow Jackets jumped out to a 3-0 lead. The Marlins tied the score a few times but RMC would take the lead back and eventually closed out the tight set 25-23.
- Set three changed leads twice in the opening points and stayed close as RMC got a kill to make the score 15-11. From that point on, VWU took over and went on a 10-2 run to handily take the third set to avoid being swept.
- RMC got a lead early in the fourth set but the Marlins continued to tie up the score. RMC broke the tie to take an 11-10 lead before VWU went on a 9-1 run that would give them a commanding 19-12 lead in a big fourth set. The Marlins closed out the set 25-17 to send the match to a deciding fifth set.
- The fifth set was a seesaw, as both teams flipped leads multiple times. The turning point was when the Marlins went on a 7-1 run that gave them a big lead which allowed them to finish the reverse sweep and win the match.
By the Numbers:
- Reigning National Player of the Week Grace Parker (Andover, N.J./Pope John XXIII) totaled 21 kills and 11 digs to go with three service aces.
- Maddy DeCandido (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial) led the way with 20 digs, her third game with 20+ digs this season.
- Lola Nolasco (Georgetown, Tx./Gateway College Prep) was a force at the net with three block assists. She now has 11 total blocks in the last four games.
- Milly Mach (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) had 26 assists to lead the team. She has at least 25 assists in three straight matches.
Up Next:
- RMC will continue ODAC play with the home opener against Lynchburg on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 7:00 p.m. in Crenshaw Gym.
