SALEM, W.Va. (Sept. 3) – The Salem International volleyball team picked up a 3-1 (20-25, 25-16, 25-16, 25-19) win over WVU-Tech in the team's season opening game Thursday evening in the T.Edward Davis Gymnasium.
 
The Tigers (1-0) rebounded from a first set loss to take the next three from the Bears (0-3) to earn the victory. Sophomore Rachel Hess (Stuttgart, Germany/Patch) led the way for Salem International with 18 kills with a .342 hitting percentage and three blocks in the win.
 
Freshman Sophie Freihofer (Cinncinati, Ohio/Oak Hills) tallied nine kills in her collegiate debut, while sophomore Alessandra Marquez (Brawley, Calif./Brawley Union) added five kills and three blocks. Senior Brittney Nesbitt (Kansas City, Mo./Raytown South) and junior Felice Reed (Pilot Point, Texas/Pilot Point) guided the offense with 22 and 15 assists, respectively. Reed also chipped in a team-best nine digs in the victory.
 
The Tigers seemed to be in control of the first set with an 18-14 lead, but eight-consecutive points by WVU-Tech helped the Bears close out a 25-20 win. Salem International recovered quickly by taking the next two sets by identical 25-16 scores, before securing the win with a 25-19 victory in the fourth set. Hess and Marquez helped put the finishing touch on the match with a block of a WVU-Tech attack to clinch the victory.
 
The Tiger volleyball team hits the road tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 4 when they head to Misenheimer, N.C. for four matches over two days in the Pfeiffer Invitational. Salem International will play host Pfeiffer tomorrow at 5 p.m. and finish the day against Slippery Rock at 9 p.m.
 
PLEASE NOTE: A live stats feed will be availible for the match against Pfeiffer, BUT NOT for the other three matches. Stay tuned to SIUTigerPride.com, @SIUTigers on twitter and Salem International Tigers on Facebook for updates.