Salem University's comeback attempts fell short as the Tigers dropped a pair of matches Friday at Charleston, W.Va. Salem fell to Central State University 25-16, 25-15, 25-18 and fell 25-9, 25-19, 25-8 to host University of Charleston.

Jalavia Johnson narrowly missed a double-double against Central State with 11 kills and nine digs for the Tigers. Liane Moser added nine kills, while Elise Valdez recorded a match-high 14 digs. Alaina Weltz tallied 26 assists to go with eight digs, five kills and a service ace

After dropping the first set to Central State, Salem battled back from an early seven-point deficit in the second set. Kills by Johnson, Weltz and Moser helped pull the Tigers within 13-10. But the Marauders answered with a 4-1 run and Salem never got closer than four points the rest of the set. The Tigers got as close as 9-7 in the third set after back-to-back kills by Weltz, but Central State used a 5-1 run to pull away.

Salem rebounded from a first-set loss to Charleston as Yesenia Munoz sparked a fast start in the second set. Munoz recorded a kill and combined with Breslyn Argo on a block to stake the Tigers to an early lead. A Charleston run helped the Golden Eagles build a five-point lead before Salem battled back. Elise Valdez's service ace followed kills by Munoz and Makhia Hinton as the Tigers tied the set 13-13. After the two teams traded side outs, Charleston used a 6-0 run to take the lead for good. Kills by Weltz and Anna Veryser saved a pair of set points before Charleston closed out the set.

Autumn Southern recorded a season-high 11 digs, while Hinton reached double figures for the second time this season with 10 digs.

Salem has the weekend off before returning to action Monday to play host to West Liberty University. Match time is 6 p.m. at T. Edwards Gymnasium.