ASHLAND, Va. – #17 Randolph-Macon dominated in all phases of play against Eastern Mennonite, giving the program its fourth consecutive win against the Royals.

Score: #17 Randolph-Macon 3, Eastern Mennonite 0 (25-20, 28-26, 25-21)
Venue: Harrisonburg, Va. // Yoder Arena // Eastern Mennonite University
Records: #17 Randolph-Macon (24-4, 12-0 ODAC); Eastern Mennonite (11-14, 6-7 ODAC)

How it Happened

• While it was the Royals getting two of the first three points, the Yellow Jackets took the next six-straight points, as it was Kody Rogan (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) finding Ian Wagenhauser (Glen Allen, Va./Deep Run) for two kills, as Wagenhasuer also had a block. Up 7-2, the heart of the set saw the teams trade points until Brady Plucker (Fredericksburg, Va./Riverbend) found Rogan for a unique kill, extending the lead to 14-8. EMU fought back with four kills in a five-point span to get back within three, down 12-15. Even though a service error put RMC back on serve, two kills from Landon Brinkley (Norfolk, Va./Norfolk Christian) were not enough to increase the scoring separation, as the hosts brought the set within two. Leading 19-17, RMC went on a 6-3 run to close set one, 25-20, thanks to two kills from Wagenhauser and the finisher from Nathan Karluk (Midlothian, Va./Midlothian).
• This time, the Royals got out to a quick 5-2 lead, as it was the Yellow Jackets who made three consecutive attack errors. Once three-straight points from RMC, including a kill from Davis Luck (Ashland, Va./Patrick Henry), put the visitors back on track, they were able to knot the set at seven. The two teams traded momentum, as a kill and block from Phillip Van Essendelft (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) sparked a 4-0 run for the Lemon and Black, before the Royals ripped one of their own, eventually creating a 14-14 tie. Rogan then took charge, as he found Karluk and Davis for kills before getting one of his own, pushing his team to a 20-18 lead. While Wagenhauser pounded three kills for a 23-21 advantage, RMC fell back to a 23-24 deficit after three-straight points from EMU. With their backs against the wall, Luck and Brinkley converted on kills from Rogan, clinching set two, 28-26.
• RMC continued to move the ball around, as Plucker found Wagenhauser for a kill before Wagenhauser hit Rogan for another, establishing a 5-4 lead. While two attack errors saw EMU take an 8-6 lead, an ace from Brinkley pushed Randolph-Macon back to a 12-10 cushion. The Yellow Jackets pushed forward on a 5-1 run to earn a 17-12 lead, as Rogan and Karluk joined for a block before Rogan fired a service ace. The Royals dug deep to apply pressure, as they worked set three back to a small 16-18 gap. RMC was able to shut the momentum down and take set three, 25-21, thanks to kills from Wagenhauser, Van Essendelft, Luck and Rogan.

Inside the Numbers

• Randolph-Macon led Eastern Mennonite in kills (47-to-33), assists (46-to-30) and aces (two-to-zero).
• The defense for RMC continues to shine, as the team worked for a 48-to-32 advantage in digs, as well as a six-to-five edge in blocks.
• The Lemon and Black posted an outstanding .455 hitting percentage in the first set, garnering 16 kills on 33 attacks.
• Wagenhasuer led the match with 16 kills, while also finishing within the top three on his team in digs (10), assists (three) and blocks (three).
• His 10 digs is a new season high. Additionally, his three assists ties his season-high and it is his third consecutive match posting 10-or-more kills.
• Plucker led the match with 11 digs and he also had a career-high six assists, good for second on the team.
• The junior now has 10-or-more digs in each of his last four matches. Furthermore, with his 11 digs, he matched his dig total from the 2024 season.
• Rogan led the match with 36 assists, while also adding eight points, five kills and three blocks. 
• The setter has notched 35-or-more assists in each of his past four matches.
• Karluk led the match with four blocks. He also turned in eight points with six kills.

For the Record

• Randolph-Macon's 12-0 record in ODAC play ties its conference record from the 2025 season.
• With 36 assists in the contest, Rogan has now surpassed 3,000 in his career. The senior setter now has 3,028.

Up Next

The Lemon and Black host a tri-match in Crenshaw Gym, where they will first host Shenandoah for their senior day at 1:00 p.m., before a 5:00 p.m. match against Averett.