>Site: 
Brevard, N.C. | Boshamer Gym

>Results: 
Salem 3, Brevard 2 (25-16, 21-25, 17-25, 25-21, 15-12)

>Records: 
Salem (10-3, 3-1 USA South)
Brevard (10-3, 2-1 USA South)

>Next Match
Salem at Mary Baldwin | September 28 | 12 p.m.

BREVARD, N.C. – One day after laying claim to her second USA South Conference Rookie of the Week this season, Salem's Maia Johnson became the 13th player in program history with at least 20 kills in a match. Johnson, who tallied 20 kills and a .289 attack percentage, was one of three Spirits to have double-digit kills as the team won its fourth straight match by scores of 25-16, 21-25, 17-25, 25-21, 15-12 at Brevard on Tuesday evening. 

Joining Johnson in double-digit kills were Aspen Bradley (14) and Ellie Scherer, who finished with 10. First year setter Leah Rymer handed out 42 assists, leading the way for an offense that tallied 59 kills and a .236 attack percentage. 

McKenzie Tullock showed off her defensive skills with 20 digs, while Makailey Albright was active with 16. Leah Rymer completed her double-double performance with 12 digs, while Jolina Bun also reached double figures with 10 digs. 

Salem, which improved to 8-1 in its last nine five-set affairs, used a Johnson slam to even the fifth set at five-all. Johnson and Ella Brameus added two kills in a three-point stretch, resulting in an 8-5 lead, before Leah Rymer took advantage of a kill to help stretch the margin to 10-7. Johnson and Anna Rymer provided a series of kills, making for a 14-11 contest, before a slam off the hand of Ella Brameus completed the 10th win of the season. 

FIRST SET: The Spirits established their offense early and capitalized on 13 kills and a .333 attack percentage to secure the first set. The first year combination of Maia Johnson and Ellie Scherer drove home kills to give Salem an 8-4 lead in the frame before Brevard trimmed the margin to run with a series of points. Anna Rymer and Leah Rymer drove home kills, while Leah Rymer added a service ace, helping the Spirits build a 14-9 advantage. After a series of miscues by Brevard put Salem at 20 points, Johnson, Leah Rymer and Scherer delivered three kills down the stretch to make for a nine-point win. 

SECOND SET: Brevard turned the tides in its favor in the second frame, driving home 15 kills and converting five service aces to even the match at one-all. Lance Bailey had a service ace and Emma Fontana came through with a service ace and a kill, respectively, allowing Brevard to establish a 7-3 advantage. Salem rallied to eventually assume an 11-9 lead, but the game reached a 12-all deadlock. Twelve points later, with the score knotted at 18, Brevard used a pair of Salem miscues to grab a two-point advantage. Ashley Hoxit had a kill and an ace down the stretch to complete the Brevard win.

THIRD SET: The Tornado offense was clicking on all cylinders, posting a .389 attack percentage along with 16 kills, while limiting Salem to 11 strikes. The back-and-forth battle continued into the third set with Hoxit evening the score at seven-all. Six points later, with the game knotted at 10, Brevard put together a five-point rally to assume a 15-10 lead after a pair of Makenna Parkins kills. Salem would trim the margin to three in the waning stages, but Brevard grabbed the 2-1 lead with a 25-17 win. 

FOURTH SET: The Spirits amped up their defense, limiting Brevard to a .111 attack percentage, while converting 16 kills, to even the match at two games apiece. Johnson drove home three kills and Bradley added two of her own to help Salem establish a 7-4 lead. Johnson drove home a kill and Anna Rymer delivered a timely service ace, helping the Spirits move in front 15-9, before a 4-1 run by the Tornados sliced the margin to three. However, Salem responded with an Brameus ace and kills from Johnson and Anna Rymer to move ahead 21-15. Bradley drove three kills past the Brevard defense to provide Salem the four-point win.