Roanoke, VA - Saturday afternoon marked the rematch for Hollins against their Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) rivals from Randolph College.  Hollins fell, 0-3, to the WildCats way back in September in their first match of the season.   Down two sets to none, Hollins rallied to force a fourth set, but as the final point was played it was the visitors from Lynchburg that picked up the conference win, 3-1.

The WildCats raced out to a big early lead in the first set.  Hollins made a late rally, winning eight of the final 13 points, but it wasn't enough as Randolph took the opener, 25-16.  The second set looked more like the two evenly matched teams that we thought we would see.  With the score tied at 20-20, it was Randolph that earned a late advantage.  Hollins cut it to 23-24 but a final WildCat point gave the road team a 2-0 lead.  The third set was again extremely close early and with the score tied 3-3, senior Emily Lowther (Woodbridge, VA) took the ball behind the service line.  Aided by five service aces, four in a row, Lowther served Hollins to eight straight points and their first sizable lead of the afternoon.  Hollins held off the WildCats and got back into the match, 2-1.  Randolph used an early spurt to open up a slight lead in the fourth set.  Hollins battled back and late in the match trailed by just one point, 22-23.  However, Randolph scored two straight points to close out the match and pick up their first ODAC win of the season, 3-1.

It was "Senior Day" for six, four year, Hollins players and they were honored prior to the start of the match.  Lowther, Rikki Martinez (Corpus Christi, TX), Haley Ortiz (Portsmouth, VA), Amelia Eyles (Millwood, VA), Lela Moore (Woodleaf, NC), and Jordan Persinger (New Castle, VA) were recognized for their accomplishments in front of family, friends, and over 200 fans.

Lowther enjoyed a fine outing in front of the home crowd by posting eight kills, 12 digs, eight service aces, and an assist.  First-year outside hitter Deja Hadden (Norfolk, VA)recorded a team high 11 kills while Martinez and Persinger added seven.  Moore handed out 34 assists and Ortiz led the team with 16 digs.  

Autumn Troxell and Alex Mariona each pounded out 15 kills as Randolph enjoyed a 54-41 advantage at the net.

Hollins will enjoy a few days off before they hit the road on Wednesday night.  Hollins visits Emory & Henry at 6:30pm on the 21st.