Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Service aces by Alaina Weltz and Elise Valdez helped Salem University slice an eight-point second-set deficit down to three, but the rally came up short as the Tigers fell to Ohio Valley University 25-11, 25-20, 25-11 in the final contest of a volleyball tri-match Tuesday at T. Edwards Gymnasium. Salem dropped the opener to Kentucky State University 25-17, 25-14, 25-13.
 
Salem stayed within striking range in the first set against Ohio Valley after a pair of kills by Anna Veryser pulled the Tigers within 13-9. But Salem was limited to only two points the rest of the way as Ohio Valley's Maria Cordoba recorded four aces in a set-ending 9-0 run.
 
The Tigers fell behind 12-4 in the second set and still trailed by seven before making their run. Breslyn Argo triggered the run with a kill and after Weltz's ace, Argo combined with Veryser on a block. Salem took advantage of a pair of Ohio Valley attack errors and Valdez's ace pulled the Tigers within 23-20. But the Fighting Scots were able to win the final two points and take a two-set advantage.
 
Salem kept the third set close in the early going as kills by Makhia Hinton and Yesenia Munoz drew the Tigers within 7-6. But Ohio Valley answered with a 6-1 run and Salem never got closer than four points the rest of the way.
 
Munoz led Salem with eight kills and only one error for a .412 hitting percentage. Weltz finished with 23 digs, while Valdez added two aces.
 
In the opening set against Kentucky State, Salem rallied from an early five-point deficit as kills by Anna Veryser and Makhia Hinton along with an ace by Yesenia Munoz pulled the Tigers within 14-13. But a pair of aces highlighted a 5-0 Kentucky State run and the Thorobreds went on to take a one-set lead.
 
The Thorobreds raced off to quick starts in the second and third sets and Salem never recovered.
 
Jalavia Johnson led Salem with nine kills, while Weltz recorded 25 assists.
 
Salem heads west to Charleston, W.Va., Friday for a pair of matches hosted by University of Charleston. The Tigers take on Central State University at 5 p.m. and face Charleston at 7 p.m.