ASHLAND, Va. – Despite
Caitlin Smith (Greensboro, N.C./Greensboro Day School) posting a match-high 18 assists, women's volleyball dropped a tough match against Bridgewater, 3-0 in sets.
Score: Bridgewater 3, Randolph-Macon 0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-17)
Venue: Crenshaw Gymnasium at Randolph-Macon College
Records: Randolph-Macon (11-7, 5-4 ODAC); Bridgewater (15-6, 7-3 ODAC)
How it Happened
- Bridgewater opened the first set on a 5-1 run, before Mia Goode (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) registered her first service ace of the match, helping her team get within one at 5-4. After forcing two attack errors in the middle of the set, RMC remained within one, down 11-10. While Marie Hall (High Point, N.C./Southwest Guilford) was able to fire two kills, the Eagles surged out to a 20-14 lead. Goode registered her second kill of the set to help her team remain within five, but the Eagles closed out the set on a 5-1 run, capturing the frame, 25-16.
- RMC had the momentum early in the second set, generating a 3-1 lead after back-to-back service aces from Smith. Both programs seemed to settle in, as RMC and BWC remained within two points of each other for the first 26 points of the set. Then, Karlie Morris (King and Queen Country, Va./Middlesex) recorded back-to-back service aces, propelling a 5-0 run buy the Yellow Jackets to put them up 15-12. While Hall and Goode were able to register kills to keep the set tied 20-20, Bridgewater pulled away to take set two, 25-22.
- The Eagles continued to apply the pressure in the start of the third set, creating a 7-3 lead through the first 10 points. Even though Goode was able to post three kills during the span, BWC extended its lead to 15-8. After the road team forced a few errors from the Yellow Jackets, the Eagles found themselves up 23-12. Despite Goode leading her team on a 4-0 run of their own, the Eagles were able to close out the set, winning 25-17.
Inside the Numbers
- The match was almost even in service aces, with Bridgewater leading the battle, seven to six. Goode tied for a match-high three service aces.
- Both teams recorded three errors in each of the first two sets, despite RMC leading in errors 16-9 at the end of the match.
- Smith's match-high 18 assists contributed to a team total of 22 from the Yellow Jackets, compared to 28 from the Eagles. She now has 10-or-more assists in all 16 of her matches played.
- Goode led the team in points (10) and service aces (three) for the second consecutive match.
- Sydney Wade (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan) finished with a team-high seven digs. The junior has now recorded seven digs in back-to-back matches.
Up Next
The Yellow Jackets wrap up their three-game home stand against (RV) Lynchburg on Wednesday, October 22 at 6:00 p.m. This will also be women's volleyball's Senior Night and SWARM Match.
