The Virginia Wesleyan University men's volleyball team (18-8, 7-6 ODAC) was defeated by Lynchburg on the road, losing 25-21, 17-25, 22-25, 25-16, and 18-20.
JaMarhe Wills led the team with 22 kills, a .500 hitting percentage, two assists, 12 digs, one solo block, and three block assists.
Aiden Parker did well with nine kills, a .313 hitting percentage, five digs, and two block assists, and teammate
Ajaye Davis led the team with 46 assists, with two kills, one service ace, and nine digs.
The Hornets started the game strong, jumping out to an 8-3 run early in the first set, but Virginia Wesleyan countered with a 12-5 run to take a 15-13 lead midway through the set. Lynchburg went on a 5-3 run to tie the set at 18-18, but VWU responded with a 5-1 run to lead 23-19. Each team scored two runs, but the Marlins went on to win the set 25-21.
The Hornets came out and built a 3-1 lead in the second set. However, the two teams traded points to bring the score to 11-9, then LYN went on a 4-2 run to increase their lead to 15-11. The Marlins chipped away at the hosts' lead to cut the lead to 20-17. However, the Hornets went on a 5-0 run to win set two 25-17.
In the third set, the Hornets again started well and built a strong 11-5 lead. A service error gave VWU the ball, but the Hornets rallied and went on a 4-1 run to take a 15-6 lead. Virginia Wesleyan caught fire and went on an 11-3 run to cut the lead to 18-17, but Lynchburg countered with a 4-1 run to extend their lead to 22-18. Despite the Marlins outscoring the Hornets 4-3 down the stretch, Lynchburg won set three 25-22.
Virginia Wesleyan started the fourth set well, jumping out to a 9-4 lead early in set four. VWU continued their good run of play and went on a 5-3 run to increase their lead to 14-7. However, the Hornets responded with a 6-2 run to cut the Marlins' lead to 16-13 midway through the set. The Marlins rallied, going on a 9-3 run down the stretch to take set four 25-16, forcing a fifth set.
In the fifth set, VWU started well, building a 4-2 lead early, but the Hornets fought back, going on a 6-2 run to lead 8-6. After the two teams switched sides, the Marlins fought hard to outscore Lynchburg 7-4, taking a 13-12 lead. However, the Hornets countered with a 3-1 run to take a 15-14 lead. Virginia Wesleyan fought hard, outscoring the host 4-3 to tie the fifth set at 18-18. However, Lynchburg scored the next two points to win set five 20-18.
