ATLANTA, Ga. – Despite a balanced offensive attack in Atlanta, the Yellow Jackets dropped its matches against #12 Ithaca and #18 Berry, 3-0 in sets.
The Basics
Score: No. 12 Ithaca 3, Randolph-Macon 0 (25-16, 25-11, 25-19); No. 18 Berry 3, Randolph-Macon 0 (25-13, 25-12, 25-14)
Venue: Woodruff PE Center Arena at Emory University
Records: Randolph-Macon (12-13, 5-6 ODAC); No. 12 Ithaca (24-7, 8-0 Liberty League); No. 18 Berry (20-6, 10-4 SAA)
How it Happened vs. Ithaca
- Ithaca opened the first set on a 6-1 run, fueled by a series of four kills. RMC was then able to generate some offense, as Lily Macias (Yorktown, Va./Tabb) and Ella Courtney (Arlington, Va./Wakefield) were both able to tally kills, putting their team down 9-4. After the Bombers created a 14-6 lead in the set, a kill from Marie Hall (High Point, N.C./Southwest Guilford) and a service ace from Mia Goode (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) put the Lemon and black down 17-11. Although RMC won four consecutive points at the end of the first set, the Bombers captured set one, 25-16.
- Randolph-Macon was able to find its groove to start the second set, trailing 5-4 after kills from Hall and Goode. Despite the competitive play, Ithaca extended its lead to 13-6 after forcing some attack errors from the Yellow Jackets. The Bombers continued to apply offensive pressure, posting seven-straight points to extend their lead to 21-8. While RMC forced Ithaca into three errors, the Bombers were able to secure set two, 25-11.
- The Lemon and Black rebounded well after dropping the second set, as they took an early 3-2 lead thanks to two kills from Karlie Morris (King and Queen County, Va./Middlesex) and a service ace from Goode. Even though the Yellow Jackets were in striking distance after finding themselves down 9-6, the Bombers rifled six consecutive points to take a 15-6 lead in the set. Then, RMC had its best six-point stretch of the match, highlighted by a service ace from Caitlin Smith (Greensboro, N.C./Greensboro Day School). The momentum continued as the Lemon and Black found themselves down 18-15 after a kill from Macias. RMC's best effort of the match fell just short, as the Bombers were able to escape with set three, 25-19.
Inside the Numbers vs. Ithaca
- Randolph-Macon led Ithaca in service aces (six-to-five) and blocks (five-to-three) in the match.
- Ithaca was able to secure advantages on the offensive side of the ball, leading RMC in kills, 47-19 and in assists, 41-19.
- Goode led the Yellow Jackets in digs (eight) and kills (five), while also tying for a team and match-high two service aces.
- After tallying a block against the Bombers, Courtney turned in her third-straight game with a block. She was one of three players on her squad with a block in the match.
- Smith led the Yellow Jackets with 10 assists. After reaching the double-digit mark, she has posted 10-or-more assists in all 23 of her matches played.
How it Happened vs. Berry
- Berry got off to a strong start in the first set creating a 9-2 lead for itself after Macias was able to tally the Yellow Jackets' first kill of the match. Courtney went on to post two kills in three points, followed by a kill from Grace Ostvig (Fredericksburg, Va./Colonial Forge), to bring the Lemon and Black within five, 10-5. The two teams traded kills in the middle of the set, with the Vikings holding a 14-6 advantage despite two kills from Goode. Then, RMC won three of the set's next four points, guided by a service ace from Trinity Makley (Morrisville, N.C./Panther Creek) to get within six at 16-10. The Vikings assembled a 9-3 run over the back-half of the set, to capture set one, 25-13.
- The Vikings had a similar start to the second set, opening a 7-2 lead after three-straight kills. Morris responded with a kill of her own before Berry extended its lead to 13-4 after another flurry of kills. While RMC broke up the Vikings' momentum by forcing a service error, Berry continued to gain momentum, finding themselves up 17-5. The Yellow Jackets found a bright spot after winning four of the next five points, down 18-9. Even though Macias, Morris and Goode were all able to record an additional kill in set two, the Vikings took the win, 25-12.
- The Vikings remained consistent as they were able to escape out to an 8-2 lead over the course of the third set's first 10 points. The Yellow Jackets stopped the run after Ostvig posted her first kill of the set. Berry remained aggressive after its first run was snapped, as they earned a 16-4 advantage after another seven-point streak. Later in the set, the Lemon and Black won three-straight points after forcing the Vikings into two service errors and a kill from Macias. While Hall claimed the last kill for the Yellow Jackets in the match, Berry earned a 25-14 victory in the third set.
Inside the Numbers vs. Berry
- Berry held the advantage in kills (40-20), assists (36-19) service aces (10-2), despite RMC leading in total attacks, 81-79.
- The Yellow Jackets had three players finish the match with five-or-more digs. This was the only match of the weekend in which the Yellow Jackets were able to accomplish the feat, as Sydney Wade (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan) led with eight and Goode and Makley chipped in seven and five respectively.
- Makley finished the match with season-highs in kills (16), digs (five), points (4.5), kills (two), service aces (two) and total blocks (one).
- After finishing her match against Berry with a service ace, Goode now has served at least one ace in each of her last 12 matches played.
Up Next
The Yellow Jackets travel to Lynchburg, Va., where they will battle the Hornets in the ODAC Tournament Quarterfinals at 6:30 p.m.
