Salem Volleyball traveled to take on Brevard tonight and went the distance, taking home the win 3-2.
With set one having nine ties, it was the perfect introduction to what ended up being a tight matchup. Brevard was the first to take control, going up 10-6 early. Kills from Sadie Rich and Jacie Jarvis, plus an ace from Jolina Bun, pulled the Spirits back in it. The Tornados grabbed momentum back soon after, going on a solid offensive streak to take the lead back at 17-12. Not backing down, Salem won seven of the next eight points to secure a lead of their own. The set stayed close as it neared the close, but a few untimely errors from the Spirits gave Brevard the boost they needed to take home a 25-22 win.
Salem came into set two ready to reset and bounce back, finding some offense and capitalizing on a few errors from the Tornados. Five different hitters secured kills in the first half of the set, helping build some momentum for the Spirits. Despite Brevard nipping right at their heels for most of the set, Salem stayed strong. After finding themselves up by four, the Spirits won another four straight to win set two, after Aspen Bradley put an exclamation point on their 25-17 win.
Brevard struck early in set three, winning six of the first seven points. Their lead didn't last long, with three straight kills from Bradley swinging the momentum back in Salem's favor. Two kills from Rich, plus two errors from the Tornados, gave the Spirits back the lead, which they held for the remainder of the set. Ariana Noplos got in on the action in the final two points of the set, slamming home two kills to secure set three 25-21.
Set four was full of runs, each team trading multiple points strung together throughout. Salem struck first this time, winning six of the first eight. After the Spirits went up 9-4, it was the Tornados turn, winning 10 of the next 12. Next, Salem won eight of the ensuing nine points, a run containing four kills and two aces. Brevard then found their offense, winning five straight. Salem was ready with an answer, with kills from Mann and Taylor Cook in their four- point run. Ultimately, the Tornados hit a hot streak to finish out the set, winning 25-23.
Despite not playing a five-set match since August, the Spirits came into the final set swinging. Madison Bozarth kicked it off with an ace, followed soon after by another kill from Bradley. Five more Salem hitters secured kills, with match point coming off the hand of freshman Taylor Cook. The Spirits took home set five 15-6.
Salem had multiple people put up solid numbers this evening. Both Aspen Bradley and Sadie Rich put up season high kill numbers with 21 and 13. Three Spirits put up double digit assists with Leah Rymer, Jolina Bun, and Grace Royer securing 20, 17, and 14 respectively. Four athletes nabbed double-digit digs with 22 from Madison Bozarth, 13 from Jolina Bun and Ella Brameus, and 11 from Olivia Torres.
Salem Volleyball will be closing out their regular season this Saturday when they take on William Peace and Averett.
