1/10/2026
If Friday night at the Cregger Center was any indication of things to come, the ODAC needs to take notice. The Roanoke College Maroons did not just open their season; they threw a block party and invited Lancaster Bible only to show them the door. In a surgical 3-0 sweep (25-19, 25-19, 25-18), Roanoke looked efficient, aggressive, and ready for the spotlight.
The Breakdown
The Maroons set the tone immediately in the first set by sprinting to a 6-1 lead. Lancaster Bible struggled to find an answer for the Roanoke offense as the Maroons utilized a mid-set five point run to secure a 25-19 win. The second set followed a similar script. Roanoke used two separate five point surges to keep the Chargers at arm’s length before closing the frame with three straight points.
The third set provided the most drama with a back and forth battle. However, with the score tight late, Roanoke shifted into another gear. The Maroons rattled off the final six points of the match to seal the victory. Fittingly, the night ended at the net when Colin Mendoza stuffed a final attempt to secure the 25-18 set win and the match sweep.
Statistical Standouts: High Efficiency and Heavy Hits
Roanoke’s offense was firing on all cylinders. They posted a team hitting percentage of .295 while holding the visitors to a meager .082. The Maroons racked up 42 kills on 88 attempts, showcasing a level of coordination that usually takes weeks to develop.
- The Terminator: Senior Cade Kinne was virtually unstoppable. He tied his career high with 13 kills while hitting a blistering .524.1
- The Supporting Cast: Michael Cummins provided significant muscle with 8 kills, 3 blocks, and a pair of service aces. Pierce Faulcon kept the pressure on the Chargers by chipping in 7 kills of his own.
- The Quarterbacks: The distribution was elite. Freshman Johnny Moran made a splash in his collegiate debut by dishing out a team high 19 assists. Junior Leo Houser kept the offense fluid as well, contributing 16 assists.
- The Great Wall: The Maroons dominated the net with 8 total blocks. Dominic Wheaton recorded one solo block and 3 assists. Colin Mendoza was a nightmare for hitters with 2 solo blocks and 2 assists. Mendoza was also lethal on the attack, hitting .625 with 6 kills.
- Floor General: In his first start as the libero, CJ Kingston anchored the defense with a match high 10 digs.
Team Comparison
The stat sheet tells the story of total Maroon dominance in every phase of the game, particularly in point production and playmaking.
| Statistic | Lancaster Bible | Roanoke |
| Total Points | 31.0 | 55.0 |
| Kills | 25 | 42 |
| Assists | 22 | 40 |
| Service Aces | 2 | 5 |
| Total Blocks | 4 | 8 |
| Hitting Percentage | .082 | .295 |
What’s Next?
The Maroons (1-0) have a week to savor the win before returning to the Cregger Center for a tri-match on Saturday, Jan. 17. They will face off against Shenandoah University at 1:00 p.m. followed by a matchup with the Virginia Tech club team at 5:00 p.m. If the Maroons keep hitting at this clip, expect more short nights for their opponents.
