FOREST, Va. – Phillip Van Essendelft (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) led a Randolph-Macon squad that went 2-0 this past week, giving the senior the first ODAC Offensive Player of the Week award of his career.
 
The Yellow Jackets posted a 3-0 win against Bridgewater in their last home match of the regular season, before sweeping Lynchburg on the road over the weekend.
 
Against the Eagles, Van Essendelft finished third in the match with 10 kills, led all players with six digs, while adding a block. He was part of a unit that prevented Bridgewater from earning greater than 17 points in any of the three sets. Additionally, he ended his three sets with a .500 hitting percentage. During the win against the Hornets, the senior stuffed the stat sheet, as he first led his team with eight kills. Van Essendelft went on to total two service aces and two blocks, while posting a .375 hitting percentage over the three sets. With his eight kills, Van Essendelft surpassed 200 in a season for the second time in his career, putting him at 202 kills in 2026. On the week, he put up 21.5 points for his squad, marking the fifth time this season he recorded back-to-back matches with double digit points.
 
Thanks to his efforts, Randolph-Macon recorded its 28th win of the season, resulting in the most by any team in the nation.
 
Van Essendelft leads the ODAC in blocks (86) as well as blocks per set (1.01). He is also fourth in the conference in hitting percentage (.385) and ranks 10th in points (263).
 
This week, the Lemon and Black will host the winner of the #4 Randolph vs. #5 Virginia Wesleyan matchup on Thursday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. for the ODAC Semifinal.