SALEM, West Virginia - In the first of three home games this week for Salem women's volleyball, the Tigers hosted the Point Park Pioneers on Tuesday night in the Valley of Learning. It was a nail biter the whole way, but a late push in the final set earned the Tigers a hard fought 3-2 win. 

To open the contest, it was apparent from the jump that this game was going to be neck and neck throughout the contest. Both teams traded runs early on, and the Tigers took a 18-14 lead, but the Pioneers battled back to knot it up at 18-18. Both teams traded points the rest of the way, but the Tigers were able to seal the set win 25-23 with kills from Noemi Combi and Marika Righi.

The Tigers fell in set 2, but had another tight one on their hands in set 3. Salem opened that set with a 6 point run to lead 7-3, but the Pioneers returned the favor with a run of their own. Both teams traded small runs the rest of the way, but the Tigers were finally able to pull away and win the set 29-27 by hitting into 3 crucial Pioneer errors. 

Again, Salem fell behind early and fell in set 4. That set the table for a dramatic 5th set to decide the match. The Tigers leaned on their veterans, and took an 8-5 lead early on, but the Pioneers took the lead right back at 11-10. Kills from Alexandra Vigneron and Marika Righi got the Tigers back in front at 13-12, and a huge kill from Noemi Combi sealed the gritty 15-12 set win and the overall 3-2 win for the Tigers. 

Statistically, it was a night to remember for Marika Righi who finished with 19 kills, 12 digs, 2 service aces and a solo block. Katie Kennedy assisted on a staggering 41 points for the Tigers, and Ana Julia Avila Vian recorded the team high in digs with 18. 

Energized by this win, the Tigers should be excited to get back on their home court in their next outing. They are set to face off with local rival Glenville State on Friday, October 17th at 7 PM in T. Edward Davis Gymnasium.