WINCHESTER, Va. – Randolph-Macon women's volleyball lost a close match against Shenandoah, 3-1 on the road.
Score: Shenandoah 3, Randolph-Macon 1 (25-19, 22-25, 25-23, 25-20)
Venue: James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center at Shenandoah University
Records: Randolph-Macon (8-3, 3-1 ODAC); Shenandoah (6-5, 3-1 ODAC)
How it Happened
- The first set opened very even, reaching a 9-9 tie after Randolph-Macon was down 5-2. Then, the Hornets opened up a 16-12 lead as a result of three consecutive kills, forcing a timeout from the Yellow Jackets. While RMC was able to stay in the hunt, Shenandoah kept its pace to win the first set, 25-19.
- The second frame was just as competitive, with the teams battling out to a 10-10 tie. Randolph-Macon was then able to break the tie, forcing three-straight attack errors, leading to a Shenandoah timeout. The Hornets kept the set within three points, until Karen Kwiatek (McDonough, Ga./Creekside Christian Academy) posted a service ace, putting her squad up 21-17. The road team was able to hang on to its lead, winning the second set 25-22.
- Shenandoah opened the third set with a 10-7 lead, despite Allison Lach (Fredericksburg, Va./Riverbend) registering three kills in the process. Ella Courtney (Arlington, Va./Wakefield) followed with two kills in four points, putting RMC up 16-12. Lach tacked on two more kills to put her team up 20-15, forcing the Hornets to take a timeout. The home team rallied after the break, capturing the third set, 25-23.
- The Hornets presented the momentum in the fourth set, forcing the Yellow Jackets to call a timeout after an 8-2 run. Shenandoah continued to apply the pressure, forcing RMC to call its second timeout of the set, while trailing 15-7. While RMC was able to bring the set back to within five points, Shenandoah captured the fourth set, 25-20.
Inside the Numbers
- Randolph-Macon took the edge in digs, leading Shenandoah 64-62.
- Lach tied for a match-high 15 kills, and a team-high 15.5 points.
- Caitlin Smith (Greensboro, N.C./Greensboro Day School) led the match with 32 assists. She has now recorded 10-or-more assists in all nine matches she appeared in this season.
- Smith's two service aces tied for the most in the match.
Up Next
The Yellow Jackets head to Roanoke, Virginia, to take on Hollins University on Friday, October 3 at 6:30 p.m.
