The Virginia Wesleyan University men's volleyball team (6-1, 1-0 ODAC) went 2-0 in the Hood Tri-match with 3-0 sweeps against Hood, winning 25-14, 25-10, and 26-24, and defeating Houghton 3-0 winning, 25-12, 25-14, and 25-13.
Game One:
Grant Younie led the offense with seven kills, a .545 hitting percentage, one dig, and one block assist,
JaMarhe Wills led the team in points with six kills, a. 714 hitting percentage, three digs, two service aces, and one assist.
Siah Hall had six kills, four digs, one solo block, and one service ace.
The Marlins offense started well, jumping out to a 14-4 lead, but the Blazers responded with a 5-1 run to cut the lead to 15-9. The two teams traded points to bring the score to 18-12, however, the Marlins offense rallied and went on a 7-2 run to win set one 25-14.
Virginia Wesleyan kept up the pressure and built an early 5-1 lead, but Hood fought back and cut the score to 6-4. However, VWU's offense awoke and went on a 11-1 run to extend their lead to 17-5. With a commanding lead, the Marlins continued to play well and won set two 25-10.
In the third set, the Marlins held an early 9-3 lead, but the Blazers countered with a 4-0 run to cut the lead to 9-7. VWU responded with a 5-1 run to extend their lead to 14-8, but Hood rallied going on an 8-3 run to bring the score to 17-16 midway through the set. The two teams fought hard, but the Blazers were able to tie the set at 24-24. However, Virginia Wesleyan scored the next two points to win set three 26-24.
Game Two:
JaMarhe Wills led the Marlins offense with 15 kills, a .591 hitting percentage, eight digs, two aces, two assists, and one block assist.
Grant Younie had six kills, two digs, one block assists, and a team high three service aces, and teammate
Carlyle Campbell recorded eight kills, with a .700 hitting percentage, and one block assist.
Virginia Wesleyan started the game hot jumping out to a 6-0 lead to begin the match. VWU went on to outscored Houghton 8-4 to hold a 14-4 lead midway through the set. The Marlins were in control and finished the set with an 11-7 run to seal the 25-12 set one win.
The Marlins continued their momentum from the first set as they built an 8-2 lead early in the set. Houghton fought hard and kept pace with VWU, with each team scoring seven points to bring the score to 15-9, but the Marlins' offense grabbed back the momentum with a 7-0 run to increase their lead to 22-9. Houghton responded with a 5-3 run, but VWU was able to win set two 25-14.
In the third set, Virginia Wesleyan started strong again, jumping out to a 6-1 lead, but Houghton's offense fought hard and chipped away at the Marlins lead to bring the score to 15-9. The Marlins offense caught fire and strung together a 10-4 run to close out the set at 25-13 and take home the 3-0 win.
