Box Score Jalavia Johnson,
Liane Moser and
Alaina Weltz all recorded season highs and Salem University came within two points of sending the match to a fourth set before falling to Glenville State College 25-18, 25-21, 25-23 in NCAA Division II volleyball Thursday at Glenville, W.Va. Johnson finished with 16 kills and Moser added 10 kills, while Weltz recorded 32 assists.
Salem broke away from a 13-13 tie in the third set as Johnson tallied three kills and two blocks during an 8-4 run to give the Tigers their biggest lead at 21-17.
Breslyn Argo combined on one of Johnson's blocks and added a kill and an assist during the run.
After Glenville State pulled within a point, Moser and
Yesenia Munoz sandwiched kills around a Pioneer kill to give Salem a 23-21 lead. But Glenville State responded with four unanswered points to close out the match.
Salem trailed 17-12 in the opening set, but Munoz's kill capped a 5-0 run to tie the set. Moser contributed a kill and combined with Argo on a block during the run. The Tigers were unable to sustain the momentum and Glenville State scored the final eight points of the set.
In the second set, back-to-back kills by Moser ignited a 4-0 run to give Salem a 14-12 lead. Glenville State rallied to regain the lead, but Johnson sparked another run with a pair of kills to put the Tigers on top 19-17. After Glenville State answered with a 7-0 run, Salem used a Munoz solo block and a Pioneer attack error to save two set points. But that was as close as Salem would get as Glenville State built a two-set advantage.
Johnson finished with a .368 hitting percentage, while Moser recorded a .286 hitting percentage. Argo shared match-high honors with a career-best four blocks. Munoz led the Tigers with 11 digs.
Salem travels to Euclid, Ohio, Saturday to compete in a tri-match. The Tigers take on Frostburg State University at 2 p.m., then face host Notre Dame College at 4 p.m.
Salem has its first home contests in nearly a month Tuesday as the Tigers play host to Kentucky State University and Ohio Valley University in a tri-match.
