SALEM, West Virginia - In the second of three home volleyball matches for Salem this week, the Tigers hosted the West Virginia State Yellow Jackets in T. Edward Davis Gymnasium on Friday night. Before the game, Head Coach Matt Carpenter and his program honored this season's graduating seniors, namely Tahnee Gerard, Savannah Wood, Kayla Holbrook, and  McKenzie Clyncke. After the festivities, the Tigers battled with the Yellow Jackets, but ultimately fell in 3 sets. 

In set 1, the Tigers opened up with some extra energy behind the strong play of their seniors Tahnee Gerard and Kayla Holbrook. Salem took a slim lead midway through the set, but were stung by a late Yellow Jacket surge to drop set 1 25-18. 

For set 2, the Tigers struggled to get things going offensively. West Virginia State jumped out to an early lead, but the Tigers answered with some key kills from Savannah Wood and Hailey Haynes. Unfortunately, Salem could not muster enough firepower to dig themselves out of the early hole, and the Tigers wound up dropping set 2 25-8. 

For the final frame, the offensive woes continued for the Tigers. Nomei Combi and Valentina Poti made an impact for the Tigers late in the set, but the damage had already been done. The Yellow Jackets pulled out the final set 25-11, and therefore the game 3-0. 

On the stats sheet, it was a pretty even night for the Tigers. Noemi Combi led the Tigers in kills with 4, and seniors Tahnee Gerard and Savannah Wood each added 3 kills as well. Gerard led Salem in digs as well with 7, and 3 different Tigers would each log a single block for the Tigers namely Savannah Wood, Hailey Haynes, and Makenna Long. 

The Tigers will not have much time to rest ahead of their next contest as well. Salem plays host to the Charleston Golden Eagles in less than 24 hours time. That contest is set for Noon in T. Edward Davis Gymnasium on Saturday, October 26th.