| Box Score 2 SALEM, W.VA. – Jalavia Johnson recorded a season-high 11 kills, but it wasn't enough as Salem University fell to University of Rio Grande 25-19, 26-24, 25-20 in the opening contest of a volleyball tri-match Tuesday at T. Edwards Gymnasium. The Tigers finished the day with a 25-21, 25-9, 25-16 loss to Alderson Broaddus University. The tri-match, Salem's lone home volleyball matches during the month of September, marked the Tigers' home opener.
 
In the first set against Rio Grande, kills by Johnson and Liane Moser highlighted a three-point run to pull Salem (0-6) within 14-13. Rio Grande scored five of the next six points and went on to take a one-set lead.
 
Salem trailed 19-15 in the second set before Johnson ignited a rally with a pair of kills. Yesenia Munoz added a kill and an ace by Moser tied the set 24-24. Rio Grande won the next two points to gain a two-set advantage.
 
Munoz helped stake the Tigers to a 10-7 lead in the third set with a kill and a pair of block assists with Lenka Jakovljevic and Breslyn Argo. But Rio Grande rallied to tie the set and the RedStorm used a 5-0 run to break away to help seal the match.
 
Alaina Weltz recorded 24 assists for the Tigers, while Makhia Hinton added two service aces.
 
Against Alderson Broaddus, the Tigers sliced an eight-point deficit down to two as back-to-back aces by Argo pulled Salem within 15-13. Alderson Broaddus built the lead back up to six, but two kills each by Moser and Johnson and an ace by Elise Valdez brought the Tigers within 23-21. But Alderson Broaddus scored the final two points to take the set.
 
Salem spotted Alderson Broaddus the first five points of the second set and the Battlers went on to build a double-digit margin on their way to a two-set lead.
 
Aces by Weltz and Valdez and a pair of kills by Moser helped the Tigers take an early 7-6 lead in the third set. Alderson Broaddus broke away with a 7-1 run and Salem never recovered.
 
Johnson and Moser paced the Tigers with six kills apiece, while Valdez and Argo each served two aces. Valdez added nine digs and Weltz finished with 19 assists.
 
Salem travels to Kutztown, Pa., this weekend to compete in the Kutztown University Tournament. The Tigers play two matches Friday and two matches Saturday. The tournament marks the beginning of a string of 12 consecutive away contests before playing host to another tri-match October 1.