Box Score SALEM, W. Va. (Nov. 2, 2017) – With one final block at the net by
Kristn Holt, the Salem University Tigers women's volleyball team erupted into celebration, earning a 3-1 (20-25, 25-23, 25-19, 25-23) victory over the University of Rio Grande Red Storm on senior night.
Seniors
Sophie Freihofer and
Rachel Hess led the Tigers with 11 and nine kills, respectively, and each of the four seniors who played, representing a class of seven, had a moment to shine.
In addition to her 11 kills, Freihofer posted 20 digs for the double-double and contributed two blocks and two aces.
Trailing 19-20 in the fourth and final set, Hess stepped up to record three consecutive service aces to give Salem University the push it needed towards the 25-23 victory. In addition to her nine kills, Hess led the team with five ace and had two blocks.
Senior
Feliciana Reed contributed 18 digs and 19 assists, setting up several of Hess' most emphatic kills, while mixing in just enough attacks on the second hit (three kills) to keep Rio Grande off balance. And senior
Alessandra Marquez finished with eight kills, including several key attacks down the stretch.
The Tigers struggled to set early, getting called for several violations while also committing six attack errors to just eight kills for a .054 hitting percentage in the opening set, but recovered for the victory in a back-and-forth match. In the second set, Salem University had 16 kills on 51 attacks with five errors for a .216 hitting percentage.
In the third set, the Tigers' best of the evening, Salem had 3 kills on 43 attacks with two errors for a .256 hitting percentage. They finished with a .195 hitting percentage in the fourth set, getting 13 kills on 41 attacks with five errors.
The Tigers held a 13-2 advantage in aces and 8-1 edge in blocks, led by
Nina Isaac with three. With the win, Salem improves to 8-22 on the season. They have three matches remaining, playing Ohio Dominican University on Friday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. before finishing its season on Nov. 10 with matches against Cheyney University and Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pa.
