ASHLAND, Va.Â
–Â
Bryce Matthews and
Ian Wagenhauser combined for 31 kills in a four-set match against Messiah in Ashland on Friday night.
Score:Â #15 Messiah , Randolph-Macon (22-25, 25-14, 25-20, 25-22)
Venue:Â Â Crenshaw Gym
Records:Â Randolph-Macon (1-4), Messiah (5-0)
How it Happened:
- The Yellow Jackets started the first set strong, as they hit on 10 of their first 12 swings to take a 12-7 lead, forcing Messiah to take a timeout. They didn't stop there, as RMC connected on a couple more, leading to a 16-10 advantage, forcing a second timeout by the Falcons. RMC held a commanding 21-14 lead, but Messiah battled back to cut the deficit to two at 22-20 before RMC broke the run with an Ian Wagenhauser (Glen Allen, Va./Deep Run) kill. RMC was able to take two more points to capture the opening set 25-22.
- Messiah took control of the second set early, forcing an RMC timeout following a 9-4 lead by the Falcons. RMC had the score within four at 13-9, but a 6-0 run by the Falcons gave them a 10-point advantage at 19-9. Three of the next four points went in favor of the Yellow Jackets but Messiah closed out the set with a 5-2 run to take set two, 25-14.
- Randolph-Macon stormed out to a 6-1 lead to open the third stanza thanks to a pair of kills by Wagenhauser and a kill from Bryce Matthews (Chesterfield, Va./Clover Hill). Messiah found their groove to tie the score up at 9-9. The Falcons took their first lead of the set after three straight points gave them a 13-11 lead. A kill by the Falcons allowed them to take a 15-12 lead into the media timeout. A trio of kills by Wesley Graves (Chester, Va./Thomas Dale) helped RMC cut the deficit to one at 17-16. A 5-1 run by the Falcons ensued to give them control of the set. They went on to close out a 25-20 set three win.
- RMC took a 4-1 lead in the opening points of the fourth set, but Messiah quickly erased the deficit. Both sides traded points for the majority of the set. Messiah had the lead, but couldn't extend the lead out of reach. RMC cut it to one point at 18-17, and then tied it up at 22, but the final three points went in favor of the Falcons as they won the fourth set, 25-22.
Inside the Numbers:
- Matthews led the way with a career-high 16 kills, hitting .394 and totaling nine digs.
- Kody Rogan (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) registered 37 assists, two block assists, and five digs. Rogan now has 30+ assists in four of the first five matches this season.
- Wagenhauser totaled 15 kills and four aces.
- Brady Plucker (Fredericksburg, Va./Riverbend) finished with seven digs.
- RMC had six service aces and eight block assists.
Up Next:
- Randolph-Macon will be back in action tomorrow against Eastern at 5:00 p.m.
