BLUEFIELD, West Virginia - The Salem volleyball program continued their Mountain State road swing this week with a 2 day event down in Bluefield. Hosted by Bluefield State, Salem competed in the Big Blue Classic event on Friday, and Saturday against teams from all over the eastern seaboard. Unfortunately, Salem was bested in all 3 contests down south this weekend, and each contest played out as follows:

West Virginia Wesleyan 3, Salem 0

In the first contest on Friday afternoon, Salem faced off with the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats for the second of three events the Tigers will have with the Bobcats this season. The Tigers battled hard early and narrowly lost the first two sets, but an experienced Bobcats team was simply too much to handle for the Tigers in the third set.  On the stats sheet, Salem was led in this contest by Noemi Combi, who led the team with 6 kills, and Arianna Parsley, who led the team with 12 assists. 

Shorter 3, Salem 0 

On Friday evening, Salem took on the Shorter Hawks, who came up from Georgia to compete in the event. It was another tight contest for the Tigers, with Salem staying neck and neck with the Hawks in the first and third sets. Unfortunately, some late Hawk rallies spoiled the Tigers' comeback bids, and Salem fell again 3-0. Statistically, Tahnee Gerard had a solid night for the Tigers with 6 kills and Mikeala McEvoy led Salem with 9 digs. 

Erskine 3, Salem 0

Salem had their final contest of the event on Saturday against the Erskine College out of South Carolina. Salem got off to a slow start initially, but stormed back to put the pressure on Erskine down the stretch. However, Salem was unable to seal the deal on a set point in the third set, and the Tigers were defeated 3-0. From the scorer's table, Noemi Combi led Salem with 10 kills, and Mikaela McEvoy logged 9 digs in the loss. 

While this weekend did not go the Tigers way, Salem will be looking to get back on track this week at home against local rival Glenville State on September 17th at 7 PM in Salem's T. Edward Davis Gymnasium.