FAIRMONT, WV - The Tigers took to the road for their final game of the regular season to square off against the Falcons of Fairmont State University. Earlier this season the Tigers lost in three sets to the Falcons on the Tigers home court. Salem entered Monday's match with a record of 5-22 with the Falcons posting a record of 15-14.

Fairmont opened it up early, gaining an 8-2 lead over the Tigers in the first set. From there Salem was able to stop the bleeding. Throughout the remainder of the set Salem played right with Fairmont, but they were unable to trim that deficit they had allowed early in the match. Fairmont claimed set one 25-15.

Salem came out determined in set two. They stayed neck and neck with Fairmont into the middle stages of the set where the score was tied 14-14. From there the Falcons took over. They were able to finish the set on an 11-0 run against the Tigers to take the second set 25-14 and grab a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.

With their backs against the wall, the Tigers looked like they were rising to the occasion. They looked polished early and jumped out to a 7-2 lead on the Falcons giving them a taste of their own medicine. Fairmont fought back and made it close the entire way through, but in the end, the Tigers prevailed in a 27-25 victory in the third set to extend the match.

The fourth set started off eerily similar to the second. A tight match remained close as neither team would give an inch of room to the other. Fairmont began to slowly build a lead, trading every two of their points for one of the Tigers. Salem looked to make a late push down 24-14, but it was too little too late. The Falcons won the third set 25-18 and the match 3-1.

The Tigers will be back in action for their first game in the USCAA Division 1 NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship Tournament against the University of Maine at Fort Kent in Uniontown, PA on November 9th at 9am.

SALEM STAT LEADERS:

Kills: McKenzie Clyncke (13)

Aces: Kayla Holbrook, Mikaela McEvoy (2)

Blocks: Nakyia Middleton (4)

Assists: McKenzie Clyncke (22)