1/21/2026
Buena Vista, VA – #9 Southern Virginia improved to 3-0 on the season with an impressive 3-1 victory over #19 Randolph-Macon (25-17, 25-21, 23-25, 25-18) Tuesday night at The Barn. The Knights overcame a spirited effort from the Yellow Jackets in front of 380 fans to remain unbeaten in the early season.
The victory showcased Southern Virginia’s balanced offensive attack and disciplined play, with the Knights recording a .271 hitting percentage compared to Randolph-Macon’s .144 mark for the match.
A Different Kind of Season
While Southern Virginia starts 2026 with a perfect record, the third-set loss to Randolph-Macon marks the first set dropped by the Knights this season. This stands in stark contrast to last year’s dominant squad, which didn’t lose a single set until very late in the 2025 season, establishing one of the most remarkable runs in program history.
It remains to be seen whether this year’s team can match the prestige and dominance of the 2025 Knights, but the early returns show a competitive squad still finding its identity and chemistry as the season progresses.
Offensive Firepower Leads the Way
Southern Virginia received outstanding contributions across the board, led by sophomore outside hitter Tommy Forese’s match-high 12 kills on a .300 hitting percentage. Forese was efficient and clutch throughout the evening, consistently delivering when the Knights needed points.
The Knights featured four players with eight or more kills. Senior setter Gehrig Tolman was spectacular, recording eight kills on 13 attempts for a remarkable .615 hitting percentage while also dishing out 38 assists to orchestrate the offense. Tolman’s dual-threat capability kept Randolph-Macon’s defense off-balance all night.
Kimo Hughey, Brady Dastrup, and Jason Wang each contributed eight kills. Wang was particularly efficient with an .455 hitting percentage, while Hughey added .235 hitting and solid defensive work. The balanced attack made it difficult for Randolph-Macon to key on any single player.
Randolph-Macon’s Valiant Effort
Despite the loss, Randolph-Macon received a stellar performance from Bryce Matthews, who led all players with 16 kills while hitting .333. Matthews was a constant threat and nearly single-handedly kept the Yellow Jackets in contention, particularly during their third-set victory.
Matthews finished with a team-high 18 points and added four block assists in an all-around performance. Ian Wagenhauser contributed eight kills, while Landon Brinkley added seven kills on .313 hitting. Setter Kody Rogan distributed 30 assists but was held without a kill on 12 attempts.
Nathan Karluk provided a strong defensive presence with 4.5 block points, recording nine block assists to anchor the Yellow Jackets’ net defense.
Set-by-Set Breakdown
Southern Virginia jumped out to a strong start in the opening set, building an early lead and never looking back in a 25-17 victory. The Knights’ offensive efficiency was on full display as they hit .500 in the frame.
The second set proved more competitive, with three tie scores and one lead change, but Southern Virginia maintained composure to claim a 25-21 victory and take a commanding 2-0 match lead.
Randolph-Macon fought back in the third set, finally breaking through with a 25-23 victory behind improved hitting (.257) and Matthews’ continued excellence. The Yellow Jackets showed resilience by extending the match and giving themselves a chance to swing momentum.
However, Southern Virginia reasserted control in the fourth set. The Knights hit just .171 but used their balanced attack to pull away late, closing out the 25-18 victory and securing the match win.
Defense and Serving
Southern Virginia’s defense was anchored by nine digs from Tolman, while Dastrup and Forese each added six. The Knights recorded nine service aces compared to just three for Randolph-Macon, with the aggressive serving disrupting the Yellow Jackets’ offensive rhythm at key moments.
The match featured 10 tie scores and four lead changes, testament to the competitive nature between these two programs despite Southern Virginia’s ultimate control.
With the victory, Southern Virginia continues its strong start to the season and will look to build on this momentum. Randolph-Macon falls to 2-1 and will regroup before its next contest.