Strong third set not enough for Men’s Volleyball against Randolph

PITTSBURGH --- Carlow University men's volleyball lost a 3-0 contest to visiting Randolph College Thursday night at St. Joseph Athletic & Fitness Center.

The Celtics put together a strong third set, but fell 25-17, 25-12 and 25-20 to the WildCats (5-2).

Rohan Bhattarai (Baldwin, Pa./Baldwin HS) and Luke Campana (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin HS) hit four kills apiece on the night. David Valentino (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional HS) recorded five digs, and Campana tallied half of Carlow's service aces in the match.

Randolph jumped out to an 11-4 lead in the third set before a service error handed the Celtics control. Carlow went on a 7-2 run to trail by two and scored five unanswered points, gaining a 16-14 advantage.

Two Carlow errors and a kill gave the WildCats the lead until a service error tied the game at 17-all. Campana hit an ace, but another kill from Randolph tied the game at 18-18.

Bhattarai hit a kill to tie the set at 19-all, but the WildCats went on a 6-1 run to end the set and secure the win.

In the first set, Randolph led 11-5 enroute to a 25-17 victory. The WildCats scored five unanswered points to begin the second set, and went on an 8-1 run later to lead, 24-9. The Celtics scored three points in a row, but Randolph dealt the final blow with a kill to win the second set, 25-12.

Ahmed Diallo led the WildCats with a game-high eight kills. Shamel Smith picked up five digs, and Dante Reid tallied three of Randolph's 12 service aces on the night.

The Celtics travel to Buffalo State College for a tri-match Saturday.