> Site: 
Stoddard Center | Buena Vista, Va.

>Result: 
Southern Virginia 3, Salem 1 (24-26, 25-22, 25-22, 27-25)

>Records: 
Salem (30-6)
Southern Virginia (22-11)

BUENA VISTA, Va. – Aspen Bradley slammed home a team-high 16 kills, while Jolina Bun amassed the 12th-most digs in a single-match in program history (32) in a four-set setback to Southern Virginia (24-26, 25-22, 25-22, 27-25) at the USA South Conference Tournament Championship as the top-seeded teams collided in Buena Vista, Va. 

Bradley was joined in double-digit kills by Ellie Scherer, who finished with 13 for the Spirits, as Salem tallied 50 in the contest. First year Leah Rymer, was handed out 37 assists, also helped Maia Johnson (eight kills) and Anna Rymer (six kills) enjoy solid offensive performances for the Spirits. 

Salem, which capped off its best season in program history with a 30-6 mark (15-3 USA South), was led on defense by Bun. Bun accrued 32 digs in the match, while Leah Rymer added 19 and McKenzie Tullock emerged with 11. 

Salem placed three players on the USA South All-Tournament team, including Bradley, Scherer and Leah Rymer. That trio becomes the first in program history to achieve the feat. 

Along with winning a share of the USA South Conference Regular Season Championship, a program first, and eclipsing the 200-win mark in program history, the Spirits captured eight Rookie of the Week honors (Leah Rymer, 5 / Maia Johnson, 3) during the course of the season. Salem also had its first two USA South First Team All-Conference performers (Bradley / Anna Rymer) in program history as well. 

FIRST SET: The two units traded points throughout the opening set, with Salem separating itself with a Bradley kill that broke an eight-all deadlock. Three subsequent kills followed from Eckenroth, Scherer and Anna Rymer in succession, giving the Spirits a 13-9 advantage. A timeout got the Knights back on track, but it was two service aces from Olivia Torres and slams from Bradley that kept Salem in front, 23-20. After an assisted block by Anna Rymer and Eckenroth put the score at set point, 24-21, the Knights rallied to even the frame at 24. Eckenroth drove a kill past the Knights' defense and Scherer added the decisive match point to clinch the opening set for Salem. 

SECOND SET: The back-and-forth battle continued into the second set with Salem battling back from an early 3-1 deficit to even the frame at three and eventually assume a 6-4 lead on a slam from Johnson. Neither team was able to assume more than a two-point lead over the next 28 points. However, after falling behind 15-13, Salem expended a timeout and forced the first of three ties at 16-all. Salem grabbed a 20-18 lead on a kill from Johnson, but the Knights scored seven of the final eight points down the stretch to even the match at 1-1 on a 25-22 victory.  

THIRD SET: The Spirits regrouped heading into the third set and responded with a 6-1 run to open the frame, highlighted by a kill from Scherer and a service ace by Jolina Bun, which quickly forced a Southern Virginia timeout. The Knights, who eventually evened the game at eight, surrendered a series of kills to Scherer, who provided Salem with the 11-8 advantage. The front row trio of Johnson, Bradley and Anna Rymer drove home slams of their own, as the Spirits built a 16-13 lead. Brenna Clyde helped her team pull even at 19 with a slam and paired with Summer Hahn to account for a block and the 20th-point as the Knights capitalized on kills from Brookelyn Madland down the stretch to complete the third set win. 

FOURTH SET: Anna Rymer and Scherer provided the early pop for the Salem offense, which resulted in a 7-2 lead in the early going. However, Southern Virginia countered with a 6-1 run to even the match at eight. The Knights would build a 17-12 lead, following a slam by Tournament MVP Sydney Bassett, but Salem chipped away at the lead and pulled to within one, 19-18. With the Knights leading 24-20, Leah Rymer calmly moved into serve and helped Salem rally to even the match at 24 following a series of kills by Bradley. However, it was back-to-back slams from Hahn and Bassett that delivered the game-winning points for Southern Virginia.