LYNCHBURG, Va. -- A pair of aces by Tempe Martens (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park) and a timely kill by Taylor Allen (Bowie, Md./Bladesnburg Elizabeth Seton) helped Virginia Wesleyan College's volleyball Marlins to a fourth-game win and match victory over the host Hornets of Lynchburg College on Wednesday.

Virginia Wesleyan (8-2, 1-0) won that fourth game 25-19, capping the win that started with a thrilling 33-31 decision.  The Marlins took a two-game lead with a 25-22 decision in the second game, but Lynchburg (6-3, 1-1) averted the sweep with a 25-23 third-game win. The teams played a tight fourth game, before Martens and Allen helped open a 20-17 lead that helped carry VWC to a 25-19 match-ending win.

The victory marked a mild upset in Old Dominion Athletic Conference competition as VWC was ranked No. 4 in the league's preseason poll, while Lynchburg, which received a vote for first place, was No. 3.

It all began with the first-game thriller, which included 17 tie scores.  There were also nine lead changes with the Marlins taking the ninth on Lynchburg error that gave VWC a 32-31 lead.  Allen ended the game with a kill off an assist by Mallory Slade (Burlington, N.C./Eastern Almanace).

Lynchburg rallied back in the second game to open up a 12-lead, but could not make it stick.  The Marlins outscored the Hornets 12-4 to open up a 17-16 lead, with senior Kerry Johnson (Richmond/J.R. Tucker) giving the Marlins their first lead of the game.  VWC never trailed again, taking a 25-22 decision.

Virginia Wesleyan lead through the early stages of the third game, before Lynchburg jumped in front to stay at 16-15 on a kill by Gabby Myers (Stafford/Colonial Forge).

VWC senior Kala Guy (Fishersville/Wilson Memorial) led both teams with 20 kills, helping the Marlins to 54 kills overall.  Martens finished with 17 and Allen recorded 10.  Slade recorded 44 assists, Mikaela Whitaker (Gainesville/Haymarket Battlefield) posted 17 digs, and Guy finished with five aces.  Torey Garin (Virginia Beach/Floyd E. Kellam) recorded five block assists.

Aricquel Payne (Woodbridge/Osbourn Park) led Lynchburg with 15 kills and 17 digs, Myers recorded 23 assists, and Sierra Strathy (Powhatan/Powhatan) produced six block assists.

Virginia Wesleyan returns to competition on Friday, Sept. 14, and Saturday, Sept. 15 in an ODAC weekend.  The Marlins host Hollins University (1-3, 0-1) on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Roanoke College (2-2, 1-0_ on Saturday at 11 a.m.

--AMDG--