> Site: 
Varsity Gym | Winston-Salem, N.C.

>Results: 
Salem 3, Methodist 1 (18-25, 25-15, 25-17, 25-20)

>Records: 
Salem (17-4, 8-2 USA South)
Methodist (16-4, 7-3 USA South)

>Next Match
Salem at Greensboro | October 17 | 7 p.m. | Hanes Gym

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – On a night in which Salem senior middle blocker Anna Rymer reached 1,000 kills in her collegiate career, the Spirits combined for 52 kills and a .301 attack percentage as they claimed a four-set win (18-25, 25-15, 25-17, 25-20) over USA South Conference rival Methodist. The victory stretches Salem's home court winning streak to 14 straight. 

Rymer, who came in two shy of the milestone, collected her second kill of the opening set and went on to finish with 12 in the match along with a .333 attack percentage. The Spirits were led offensively by Ellie Scherer, who drove home 13 kills and posted a .323 attack percentage, while teammate Maia Johnson delivered 10 kills and a .476 attack percentage. 

Salem also received nine kills from Aspen Bradley, who posted a .333 attack percentage, and seven off the hand of Abrielle Eckenroth. Leah Rymer handed out 41 assists on the evening, resulting in her fourth 40-assist match of the slate. 

The defensive back row of Makailey Albright (14 digs), Leah Rymer (13), Anna Rymer (11) and Olivia Torres stymied the Methodist offense and forced the Monarchs into committing 21 errors. Meanwhile, the front row of Johnson (six assisted blocks) and Scherer (five), helped Salem finish with 14 assisted blocks. 

FIRST SET: Methodist came out swinging in the opening set, capitalizing on six kills from Jamie Holton in the frame, as it grabbed an early 12-6 advantage early. A series of attack errors by the Monarchs, coupled with a Bradley kill, trimmed the deficit to 15-11. Johnson and Scherer added kills of their own as the Spirits sliced the margin to three, 18-15, but Methodist used two kills each from Savannah Hovander and Carlyn Tanis down the stretch to complete the seven-point victory. 

SECOND SET: The Spirits regrouped and amped up their defensive attack in the second set, establishing a 7-4 lead behind Bradley's service ace. Methodist countered by scoring five of the next seven points, but Torres delivered two service aces and forced three Monarch miscues as Salem jumped in front 16-8. Kills from Anna Rymer, Bradley and Eckenroth, allowed Salem to forge in front 21-12. Eckenroth added a kill late, while Johnson and Scherer teamed up for a block to help even the match at one set apiece. 

THIRD SET: The Salem offense remained rhythmic with Leah Rymer in serve it assumed a 5-2 lead behind timely strikes from Anna Rymer and Eckenroth. Four kills, including two from Scherer, in a five-point stretch moved the Spirits into double figures. However, Methodist evened the frame at 12-all, sparking a Salem run that was highlighted by two kills from both Eckenroth and Scherer as the lead ballooned to 19-13. Two kills from Maia Johnson along with an Albright service ace helped Salem cinch the 25-17 win. 
  
FOURTH SET: With its back to the wall in the fourth, Methodist fought back from an early deficit to grab an 8-6 lead on a kill from Hovander. However, Eckenroth and Albright evened the frame at eight with a kill and service ace, respectively, before a series of kills from Scherer moved Salem in front 10-8. Timely slams from Johnson and Anna Rymer kept Salem in front 16-14. Separated by two points, 18-16, Johnson drove home a series of kills and teamed with Anna Rymer on a block, to help Salem move in front 24-19. Johnson drove home the final kill of the match for Salem which remains perfect at Varsity Gym this season.