SALEM, W.Va. – The Salem University volleyball team dropped two matches against Ashland 3-0 and a five set nail-biter to West Virginia Wesleyan 3-2.
 
With the losses, Salem falls to 7-26 overall on the season.
 
Game One
 
In the first match, Salem surrendered the match in three straight sets (25-13, 25-6, 25-14).
 
Ashland controlled the match as it led Salem in kills (45-16), blocks (8-4), assists (45-16) and digs (56-33).
 
Offensively, Salem was led by junior Liane Moser who notched six kills, while freshman Jalavia Johnson tied a match-high four blocks.
 
Senior Kathryne Mathis generated seven digs, one block and one ace, while classmate Cassidy Pluta garnered seven assists and six digs.
 
Ashland was led by Reanne Neal and Zoey Peck who had 11 kills and 41 assists respectively.
 
Game Two
 
In the nightcap, the Tigers battled with the Bobcats but fell in a back and forth fifth set (25-18, 18-25, 16-25, 25-23, 15-17).
 
Salem held a .093 hitting percentage as Wesleyan recorded a .204 hitting percentage.
 
The Tigers led in blocks 17-6, while WVWC led in kills (66-36), assists (66-35) and digs (85-72).
 
Salem was led by Mathis who posted nine kills, four blocks, 15 digs and three assists, while Pluta notched 21 assists and seven kills.

Johnson recorded a match-high eight blocks and one ace, while freshman Amy Turbak tied a match-high 20 digs.
 
Salem found itself down 2-1 but fought through set four to tie the match 2-2. In the fourth set, the Tigers jumped out to a 15-9 lead. After a hard kill by Johnson, the Tigers held their lead 18-14.
Salem led WVWC 21-16 but Wesleyan scored four-straight to bring the match to 21-20. The Tigers withheld and finished the set on a 4-3 run to force a fifth set.
 
The fifth set was back and forth the whole duration, but Wesleyan was able to score two-straight at 15-15 to take the match 3-2.
 
The Tigers are back in action Friday as they host Ohio Valley set for a 5:00 p.m. start.