The Virginia Wesleyan University men's volleyball team (13-3, 4-2 ODAC) defeated Averett 3-0, winning 25-16, 25-20, and 25-15.
JaMarhe Wills led the team with 12 kills, with a .923 hitting percentage, one service aces, and three digs.
Ross Echea had four kills, with a .429 hitting percentage, and five block assists.
Grant Younie had four kills, with a .375 hitting percentage, with two service aces, and two digs.
Ajaye Davis led the team with 32 assists, two service aces, six digs, and one kill and teammate
Aiden Parker was second on the team with five kills, and had one block assist, and two digs.
A close start to being set one, as Averett found themselves up 5-4 early, but the Marlins rallied back with a 10-3 run to take a 14-8 lead over the Cougars. AU went on a 4-2 run to cut the lead to 16-12, but the Marlins responded with a 3-0 run to lead 19-12. The Marlins went on to outscore Averett 5-4 to win set one 25-16.
Virginia Wesleyan kept the momentum and went up 5-3 early in the second set. However, the Cougars fought back with a 3-0 run to take a 6-5 lead. Averett kept their lead and held a 10-8 lead, but at that moment VWU rallied with a 7-3 run to take a 15-13 lead midway through the set. AU came back and was able to tie the set at 17-17, but the Marlins went on a 3-0 run to lead 20-17. The Cougars countered with a 3-1 run to cut the lead to 21-20, but the Marlins scored the next four points to win set two 25-20.
In the third set, the Marlins were able to build an early 7-4 lead, but the Cougars outscored the Marlins 3-2 to bring the score to 9-7. However, Virginia Wesleyan rallied, going on a 7-2 run to extend their lead to 16-8, but Averett responded with a 6-0 run to bring the score to 16-14. Virginia Wesleyan grabbed the momentum back and outscored AU 9-1 to win set three 25-15.
