SALEM, WV - The Tigers hosted some back-to-back home action this past weekend against the visiting Falcons and Cardinals from Notre Dame College (Ohio) and Wheeling respectively. Salem entered the weekend with a record of 5-20 with the Cardinals coming in at 20-6 and the Falcons owning a record of 8-14.

Salem opened the weekend doubleheader against the Wheeling Cardinals who the Tigers fell to in three sets on Wheeling's home court earlier in the season. The set opened close with both teams swapping the first four points of the set. The scoring remained close through the opening stages of the set, but around the midway point, Wheeling began to distance themselves. The Cardinals would go on to win the first set 25-15.

With the second set underway Salem looked to tie the match at a set a piece. This set mirrors the first with neither team having a clear advantage in the early stages. With the score tied 7-7, Wheeling began to make their move. They proceeded to run off an 8-2 run to grab a commanding lead. From there the deficit was too much as the Tigers were unable to finish their attempted comeback. Wheeling took the second set 25-17 and grabbed a 2-0 set lead over the Tigers.

The Tigers looked to hold off a loss in the third set. Once again the scoring came out balanced in the early stages before Wheeling went on another mid-set run to grab a commanding lead. In the end, the depth and experience were too much for the Tigers as they claimed the final set 25-14 and won the match 3-0.

SALEM STAT LEADERS:

Kills: Tahnee Gerard (7)

Aces: Trinity Eliasen (1)

Blocks: McKenzie Clyncke (2)

Assists: McKenzie Clyncke (13)

Digs: Alayna Cox, Mikaela McEvoy (6)

The second match of the weekend doubleheader pitted the Tigers against the Falcons on Salem's home court. Earlier in the year Salem fell to Notre Dame College (Ohio) in four sets on the Falcon's home court.

The first set was all Falcons. They jumped out to an early lead against the Tigers and never looked back. The Tigers looked fatigued after the match the previous night, but they would have to find a spark soon to get back into the swing of things. Notre Dame College took the first set 25-13 and grabbed a 1-0 match lead over the Tigers.

The Falcons jumped out to another early lead in set two grabbing a 6-0 advantage over the Tigers. Salem showed signs of life stringing together two and three-point runs to try and remain in a position to win. In the end, it was the inability to stop long runs that plagued the Tigers. Notre Dame College claimed set two 25-14.

Salem looked much better in the third set as they took it down to the wire. They did a better job of preventing the Falcons from going on extended runs which kept them within striking distance. However, in the closing points of the set Salem was unable to capitalize as the Falcons took the final set 25-20 and won the match 3-0.

SALEM STAT LEADERS:

Kills: Noemi Combi (7)

Aces: McKenzie Clyncke (2)

Blocks: Tahnee Gerard, Grace Deller (1)

Assists: McKenzie Clyncke (11)