ST. DAVIDS, Pa.Â
– Randolph-Macon men's volleyball won two close matches on Saturday in a tri-match at Eastern.
Score:Â Randolph-Macon 3, Eastern 0 (25-21, 27-25, 26-24)Â Â Â Â Â Randolph-Macon 3, Widener 1 (25-12, 23-25, 26-24, 28-26)
Venue: The NestÂ
Records:Â Randolph-Macon (10-7, 2-1 CVC), Eastern (6-9, 1-1 MAC), Widener (8-7, 1-2 MAC)
How it Happened vs. Eastern:
- The first set was tightly contested as neither team pulled away in the opening points. After being tied 8-8, RMC ignited a 6-2 run that would give them a four-point lead. Eastern fought back to tie it up at 19 after a 3-0 run, but RMC used their second 6-2 run of the set to win the frame 25-21.
- The beginning of the second set was controlled by the Eagles as they jumped out to a 9-3 lead. Eastern held the lead, holding off RMC's comeback attempt and led 22-16 with all momentum. The Yellow Jackets won eight of the next 10 points to knot the score at 24. Eastern took a 25-24 lead but RMC responded with a 3-0 run to win the second set, 27-25.
- The third set was also close, as neither team could build up a lead without the other answering. RMC had held a three-point lead at 16-13 but Eastern took the lead with a 5-0 run. The Yellow Jackets answered with a 6-2 run that gave them the lead back. The Eagles came back but never took the lead, tying the score at 23 and then again at 24 but RMC won the final two points to earn the sweep.
Inside the Numbers vs. Eastern:
- Kody Rogan (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) was dominant. Rogan finished with 11 kills, hitting .729 and had 18 assists.
- Cade Terrell (Glen Allen, Va./Deep Run) had 17 assists, his most in a match since February 9.
- Ian Wagenhauser (Glen Allen, Va./Deep Run) was also in double figures in kills, finishing with 10. He also had three solo blocks, leading the team.
- Brady Plucker (Fredericksburg, Va./Riverbend) led the Yellow Jackets with eight digs.
How it Happened vs. Widener:
- Widener jumped out to a 7-4 lead in the first set but RMC found their groove with an 11-0 run, which turned into an 18-3 run that would give them full control of the set, leading 22-10. A couple kills by Ian Wagenhauser would help RMC seal the opening set, winning 25-12 in impressive fashion.
- The Pride's fortune turned in the second set, once again grabbing the lead early in the frame. Widener continued to hold off any comeback attempt by RMC as the lead held on. The lead grew as large as six points at 21-15 but an 8-3 run for the Yellow Jackets cut the lead to one point at 24-23. Widener took a timeout, and it paid off as they won the final point to even the score at one.
- Both teams went back-and-forth for majority of the third set, as the score was knotted at 18. The largest lead to that point was three and it remained close. Widener took a one-point lead at 23-22 before RMC went on a 4-1 run to end the set and take the important set three.
- The fourth set fit the mold of the rest of the day, as neither team could pull away from the other. RMC had an 11-10 lead and turned it into a 20-14 lead. The Pride brought it back to one point with a 5-0 run. After a quick 3-1 run by RMC, Widener tied it again with a 3-0 run, making the score 23-23. RMC moved to set point but was halted twice by Widener. The Pride took a 26-25 lead but RMC won three straight points to end it and win 28-26.
Inside the Numbers vs. Widener:
- Ian Wagenhauser led the way with 15 kills while hitting .407. he also had four aces and five digs.
- Phillip Van Essendelft (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) totaled 10 kills, hitting .368. He had three aces, a career-high, and four digs.
- Kody Rogan finished with 24 assists to couple with his eight kills.
- Cade Terrell had 20 assists.
- Brooks Cowart (Glen Allen, Va./Glen Allen) had six digs and five kills, hitting .308.
- Brady Plucker had a team-high 14 digs.
Up Next
- Randolph-Macon will be back in action on Wednesday for a 6:00 p.m. matchup at home against Marymount.
