The Virginia Wesleyan University men's volleyball team (16-3, 5-2 ODAC) defeated a non-conference opponent in a five-set thriller, winning 20-25, 25-13, 25-20, 19-25, and 15-11.
The Marlins' offense was led by
JaMarhe Wills with 20 kills, three block assists, one dig, one service ace, and three assists.
Grant Younie had 12 kills, with 17 digs, and two block assists, and
Siah Hall recorded 11 kills, 16 digs, three assists, and two block assists.
Ajaye Davis had 50 assists, two kills, and 15 digs.
The Marlins started hot in set one, jumping out to a 5-1 lead, but after trading several points, the Cardinals went on a 10-1 rally to lead 15-10 midway through the set. The two teams traded points until the Marlins went on a 4-0 run to bring the score to 20-19. However, St. John Fisher went on a 5-1 run to win set one 25-20.
Virginia Wesleyan built a 7-3 lead early in the second set. The Cardinals scored the next two points to bring the score to 7-5, but the Marlins rallied and went on a 14-2 run to take a 21-9 lead. VWU went on to win set two 25-13.
In the third set, St. John Fisher came out and built a 9-4 lead early. The two teams traded points to bring the score to 14-9, but the Marlins countered with a 5-1 run to bring the score to 15-14. Virginia Wesleyan continued their good run of play and went on an 11-4 run to seal the 25-20 win in set three.
A highly contested third set, as the two teams fought hard to begin set four. However, the Cardinals came out ahead, leading 9-6 early. The two teams traded points until St. John Fisher went on a 4-0 run to lead 18-12, but VWU responded with a 3-0 run to bring the score to 18-15. The Cardinals rallied and outscored the Marlins 7-4 to win the fourth set 25-19 to force a fifth set.
Virginia Wesleyan's offense exploded in the fifth set, as they jumped out to a 7-2 lead early, and switched sides at 8-3. The Marlins continued their good play and held an 11-3 lead. The Cardinals were not done yet, and they outscored VWU 8-4, but the Marlins won set five 15-11.
