The Virginia Wesleyan University men's volleyball team (16-4, 5-3 ODAC) lost to ODAC opponent Randolph, losing 25-19, 25-27, 23-25, 25-17, and 8-15.
JaMarhe Wills led the team with 20 kills, eight digs, one service ace, and one block assist.
Grant Younie had 11 kills, 10 digs, one service ace, and one block assist.
Aiden Parker recorded nine kills, six digs, one service ace, and three block assists.
Siah Hall was the setter and had 43 assists, with eight digs, one solo block, and one block assist.
The Marlins started off well, jumping out to a 6-2 run, but the Wildcats responded with a 3-1 run to bring the score to 7-5. Virginia Wesleyan countered with a 5-0 run to increase its lead to 12-5. The two teams traded points until Randolph went on a 3-0 run to cut the lead to 16-13 midway through set one. VWU rallied with a 6-2 run to take a 22-15 lead, and went on to win the set 25-19.
The two teams fought hard to start the second set, but Randolph came out on top, leading 9-7. However, Virginia Wesleyan responded with a 3-0 run to take a 10-9 lead, but the Wildcats responded with a 5-0 run to lead 14-10. The Marlins rallied and outscored the host 9-3 to take a 19-17 lead. VWU continued to play well and found themselves up 24-21, but the Wildcats went on a 6-0 run to take set two 27-25.
In the third set, Randolph built a narrow 12-9 lead, but the Marlins countered with a 4-2 run to cut the lead to 14-13. The Wildcats responded with a 6-2 run to take a 20-15 lead, but VWU fought back and went on a 6-0 run to take a 21-20 lead. However, the Wildcats outscored the Marlins 5-2 to take set three 25-23.
Going down 2-1 gave the Marlins the fuel they needed and jumped out to a 12-5 lead in set four. Randolph didn't lie down and responded with a 10-3 run to tie the set at 15-15. Virginia Wesleyan rallied with a 10-2 run to win the set 25-17 to force a fifth set.
Randolph came out strong in the fifth set and built a 12-3 lead. The Marlins fought back to bring the score to 13-8, but the Wildcats went on to win set five 15-8.
