WEST LIBERTY, WV - The Lady Tigers traveled to West Liberty on Tuesday to take on the Hilltoppers. The two met earlier in the season in a match won by West Liberty in three sets on Salem's home court. The Tigers entered the match with a record of 5-19 and the Hilltoppers came in at 19-7.

Salem was in it early with the Hilltoppers. The two teams traded points back and forth during the beginning stages of the set before West Liberty began to pull away. The Hilltoppers held a 14-12 advantage over the Tigers. They then proceeded to go on a 7-0 run to make the score 21-12 in favor of West Liberty. From there the deficit proved too large as Salem's attempted comeback was cut short. West Liberty claimed the first set 25-14 to go up 1-0.

West Liberty learned from the first set. They got to work early in set number two to create an eight-point advantage before the Tigers could get to their fifth point. Salem tried to get back into the game, but the experience of the Hilltoppers proved to be too much. The Tigers dropped set two 25-9 and went down 2-0 in the match.

Salem came into the third set hungry for a win and it showed. The offense came out swinging getting a lead and maintaining it throughout the beginning stages of the set. Around the mid-way point, fatigue began to set in. West Liberty relied on their deep bench which was a luxury the Tigers couldn't afford. Salem has been bitten by the injury bug this season and has been short-staffed in recent weeks, and this game was no exception. West Liberty capitalized on their home court advantage in the third set with a comeback win of 25-21 to claim the final set and win the match 3-0.

The Tigers will be back in action on Friday, November 3rd at 7pm when they will host Wheeling University.

SALEM STAT LEADERS:

Kills: Noemi Combi (5)

Aces: McKenzie Clyncke (2)

Blocks: Nakyia Middleton, Clanae Davis (1)

Assists: McKenzie Clyncke (12)