SALEM, W.Va. (Sept. 22) – The Tigers fought to a 24-24 tie in the third set, before ultimately losing 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 26-24) to West Liberty Tuesday evening in non-conference play.
 
The loss drops the Salem International University volleyball team to 4-9 overall, while the Hilltoppers improve to 6-8 this season.
 
The Tigers trailed 21-17 in the third set before drawing even at 23-23. Sophomore Serena Estrada (Decatur, Texas/Decatur) spearheaded the Salem International rally with a pair of aces during the run. The Tigers managed to fight off match-point once at 24-24, but the Hilltoppers claimed the last two points of the set to earn the 3-0 win.
 
Sophomore Rachel Hess (Stuttgart, Germany/Patch) led the Salem International offense with 10 kills, while freshman Kara Kocurek (Orange Grove, Texas/Orange Grove) added eight kills and a team-best four blocks in the loss.
 
Junior Emerald Rosenbusch (Hutto, Texas/Hutto) led the defense with a season-high 18 digs, while sophomore Jen Foreman (Delaware, Ohio/Rutherford B. Hayes) chipped in 10 digs. The offense was guided by sophomore Felice Reed (Pilot Point, Texas/Pilot Point), who tallied 15 assists. Senior Brittany Nesbitt (Kansas City, Mo./Raytown South) also tallied double-digit assists with 10 on the night.
 
The Hilltoppers managed to hit .310 in the first set of the match, but the Tiger defense limited West Liberty to hitting percentages of .184 and .102 in the second and third sets.
 
Raimey Benson totaled 11 kills to help lead West Liberty to the non-conference victory.
 
The Tigers return to action next Wednesday, Sept. 30 when they host Glenville State in a non-conference matchup at 6 p.m.
 
NOTE: As of Sept. 22, there WILL NOT be any live coverage of the match against Glenville State. A link will be added to the schedule page if live stats are available. There will not be a live stream of the match.