Volleyball Earns Four-Set Victory on Saturday

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- The Virginia Wesleyan University volleyball team held off Guilford College on Saturday for a four-set ODAC victory, 25-15, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23.

The Marlins led 10-9 in the first set when a 6-0 run put the hosts up 16-9. Lauren Topper and Dare Wright combined for a block to start the run before back-to-back attack errors made it 13-9. Two more attack errors made it 15-9, then Alyssa Taylor served an ace to cap off the run.

VWU led 16-12 when an 8-1 run brought set point to the Marlins. A kill by Amber Matalus ended the set.

The Marlins led 18-17 in the second when another run put the set out of reach. A kill by Elizabeth Britton and three attack errors put the hosts up 22-17. Guilford managed just two points the remainder of the set.

Guilford claimed a third-set win after scoring the final three points after a 22-all tie. Kills by Christian Ritter and Khaira Bolden were the difference for the Quakers.

The Quakers battled in the fourth set as well, trailing 22-21 while looking to even the match and force a decisive fifth set. Topper blocked the next Guilford serve to side out for the Marlins. A block by Britton then put the Marlins up 24-21.

Guilford fought off two-straight match points to cut the lead to 24-23, but a kill by Britton off an Emilee Pierson assist put the match away.

Ritter led Guilford (11-9/4-5) with nine kills to go with 18 digs while Carson Evans registered 17 assists.

Topper paced the Marlins with 11 kills to go with 20 assists from Pierson and 21 digs from Taylor.

Virginia Wesleyan (16-8/8-2) travels to Randolph-Macon College (18-4/10-0) on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. ODAC start that will play a huge role in determining seeds for the upcoming ODAC tournament.