Salem Volleyball won their second matchup against Methodist this season on the road, taking home a 3-1 victory.
Set one started the contest out with a bang, going the distance and ending in a 30-28 score in favor of the Spirits. Methodist took the first three points, followed by Salem's answer with three of their own. After trading points back and forth, the Monarchs found momentum to go up 15-11. Three straight kills from Aspen Bradley swung the set back in Salem's favor, propelling them to their first lead of the contest. Methodist took the lead back not long later, right before the Spirits fired back to go up by three at 22-19. The Monarchs tied it at 22, followed by both teams slamming home a kill to bring the score to 23-23. A service error from Methodist gave Salem a set point that was ultimately saved, forcing the Spirits to save three set points themselves. Capitalizing on two errors from the Monarchs, the Spirits took the set one win.
Both teams picked up where they left off at the start of set two, never having more than a few points between them. Salem was the first to grab momentum, going on a six point run served by Madison Bozarth with kills from Ariana Noplos, Ella Brameus, and Bradley. The Spirits held the lead to go up 17-15, but it was all Methodist from there on out, winning the next 10 straight to take set two 25-17
Salem was looking for redemption in set three, securing a quick lead at 7-2. Methodist found a quick answer, winning seven of their own to go up 9-7. Tenley McDonald, Jacie Jarvis, and Brameus found some offense of their own to bring the Spirits back in front. Four straight kills gave Salem a five point lead, helping them inch closer to set point. Not going down without a fight, the Monarchs were able to tie it up at 20-20. A few Methodist errors and kills from Brameus and Jarvis pushed the Spirits to win five of the next six points and secure the set three win 25-21.
Set three brought the largest margin of victory in the contest, ending with a 25-16 score in favor of the Spirits. Salem took control early on, going up 14-5 with kills from McDonald, Bradley, Brameus, Jarvis, and Sadie Rich. Methodist continued to try to chip away at Salem's lead, but the Spirits held strong, always keeping at least four points between them. After going up 19-15, the Spirits once again went on a dominant stretch to finish out the set, winning six of the last seven points. A block from Jarvis and Rich on set point put an exclamation mark on a well played competitive matchup.
Today's stat leaders were Aspen Bradley with a season high 19 kills, Sadie Rich with five blocks, Leah Rymer with 45 assists, and Madison Bozarth with 22 digs.
The Spirits will next be in action on Tuesday where they take on Greensboro, who is currently ranked at the top of the USA South.
