ASHLAND, Va.Â
– Randolph-Macon men's volleyball opened the spring season with the Macon Invitational on Saturday. They fell in a close five-set match against Nazareth and fell in the night cap to Mount Olive in three sets.
Score:Â Randolph-Macon 2, Nazareth 3 (25-16, 22-25, 25-23, 18-25, 13-15)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Randolph-Macon 0, Mount Olive 3 (13-25, 16-25, 14-25)
Venue:Â Crenshaw Gym
Records:Â Randolph-Macon (0-2, 0-0 CVC), Nazareth (1-0, 0-0 UVC), Mount Olive (2-0, 0-0 CC)
How it Happened vs Nazareth:
- RMC opened the first set with a vengeance, forcing a Nazareth timeout after the Yellow Jackets opened a 10-5 lead. RMC capped off an 8-0 run with a 17-5 lead. After a quick 11-5 run from the Golden Flyers, RMC finished the set with a 4-0 run to take set one 25-16.
- Nazareth took a 4-0 lead to begin the second set, but RMC came back to tie it up at nine a side, thanks to three blocks at the net fueling an 8-2 run. A 7-1 run for the Golden Flyers gave them control in the set, allowing them to take an 18-12 lead. The Yellow Jackets grabbed momentum with a kill by Brooks Cowart (Glen Allen, Va./Glen Allen) to push a 6-1 run to cut the lead to two, forcing a timeout by Nazareth. The Golden Flyers held off the push from RMC to win the second set 25-22.
- The Yellow Jackets took control of the beginning of the third set, jumping out to a 7-3 lead. Three straight kills for Nazareth brought the lead back to one point at 12-11. The lead never got to more than four the rest of the way as Nazareth was able to tie it at 22 but RMC finished the set on a 3-1 run to capture a pivotal set three. The Yellow Jackets hit .435 in the set to overpower the Golden Flyers.
- Nazareth had momentum at the beginning of the fourth set, racing out to an 11-3 lead. The deficit was cut to three but that was as close as it got as Nazareth kept RMC at bay for the rest of the set, forcing the deciding set five.
- The beginning of the fifth set was close but Nazareth had a three-point lead midway through the frame. RMC came out of the timeout with a 4-1 run to tie it up at nine, forcing a timeout by the Golden Flyers. Nazareth returned with a 3-0 run to regain the lead forcing an RMC timeout in attempt to stop the run. RMC couldn't complete the comeback, despite bringing it within one point but Nazareth finished the match 15-13.
Inside the Numbers vs Nazareth:
- Ian Wagenhauser (Glen Allen, Va./Deep Run) led the Yellow Jackets with 14 kills.
- Phillip Van Essendelft (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) hit .571 with five kills and five blocks.
- Kody Rogan (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) and Cade Terrell (Glen Allen, Va./Deep Run) each had 14 assists. Rogan also totaled seven digs and two blocks.
- RMC had 18 total blocks in the match.
How it Happened vs Mount Olive:
- UMO began the first set by jumping out to a 7-2 lead and maintained that lead through the set. The Trojans continued to keep RMC from going on a run as they built the lead out and finished the set winning 25-13 after hitting .450 in the frame.
- RMC kept pace to begin the second set but once again, the Trojans were able to build a small lead, which they held at 15-10 at the media timeout. Mount Olive came out of the timeout with a 4-1 run to extend the lead. They would hold that lead to close out the set and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
- RMC opened the third set with some momentum, taking a 3-1 lead right away. The Trojans quickly answered with a 7-1 run to force an RMC timeout. That run extended out of the timeout as Mount Olive doubled up the Yellow Jackets 14-7, forcing another timeout. UMO extended the lead further to win 25-14 and sweep the match.
Inside the Numbers vs Mount Olive:
- Kody Rogan had a .429 hitting percentage with three kills without an error. He also led the way with 12 assists.
- Brooks Cowart had four kills and three digs to his credit.
- Brady Plucker (Fredericksburg, Va./Riverbend) had 17 receptions with five digs out of the libero position.
Up Next
- Randolph-Macon will host Virginia Wesleyan on Wednesday, January 24 at 7:00 p.m.
