The Virginia Wesleyan University women's volleyball team (11-2, 3-0 ODAC) was defeated by rivals CNU in four sets, 22-25, 20-25, 15-15, and 22-25.
Hannah Smith led the offense with 16 kills, 18 digs, two service aces, and one block assist,
Madi Schmidt had eight kills, 13 digs, three assists, and one service ace, and
Salena Jones had two kills, 30 assists, 14 digs, one service ace, and one block assists.
To start the match, the Marlins went on a 3-1 run, but the Captains went on their own run to tie the set at 4-4. Virginia Wesleyan went on a 5-2 run to take a 9-6 lead. CNU came back with a 3-0 run to tie the set at 9 all, but the Marlins countered with a 5-2 run to lead 14-11. The two teams traded points with the Marlins holding a 16-14 lead, before VWU went on a 2-0 run to lead 18-14. However, the Captains went on a 7-0 run to take a 21-18 lead, the Marlins fought back but could not go on a run and lost set one 25-22.
With the momentum, CNU jumped out to a 3-1 lead, but the Marlins countered with a 3-0 run to lead 4-3. The Captains scored back-to-back points to lead 5-4, but VWU went on a 5-2 run to lead 9-7. CNU went on a 5-0 run to take a 12-9 lead, but the Marlins responded with a 3-1 run to cut the lead down to 13-12. The Captains went on an 8-1 run to extend their lead to 21-13. Virginia Wesleyan responded with a 3-1 run to cut the lead to 22-16 and outscored CNU 4-3, but lost set two 25-20.
In the third set, Virginia Wesleyan ramped up the intensity and built a 10-2 lead. CNU chipped away and brought the score to 12-6, but VWU went on a 5-2 run to lead 17-8. The Captains went on a 4-1 run to bring the score to 18-12. The Marlins ended the third set with a 7-3 run to win the set 25-15.
The Captains were on a mission in the fourth set, as they built a 7-3 lead. The Marlins fought back with a 4-1 run to cut the lead to 8-7. CNU responded with a 5-1 run to extend their lead to 13-8. Virginia Wesleyan countered with a 5-1 run to bring the CNU lead to 14-13. The two teams traded points with CNu holding an 18-15 lead, but the Marlins went on a 4-2 run to bring the score to 20-19. CNU outscored VWU 5-3 to win the fourth set 25-22.
