GREENSBORO, N.C. – Fellow USA South Conference member William Peace capitalized on a 15-dig, 10-kill performance by Mya Parks to edge Salem in volleyball action by margins of 25-16, 25-18 and 25-16 in the first match of the Guilford College Invitational on Friday, Sept. 13 at Ragan-Brown Field House.
Salem (3-3) was led offensively by the duo of Kathryn O'Connell and Madelyn Chappell, who finished with seven and six kills, respectively. Teammate Hannah Delcamp dished out 19 assists and closed with 12 digs in her second double-double outing of the season. Taylor Moulton was also active on the Spirits' back row with 15 digs.
The Pacers (7-0) established themselves early in the match, jumping out to a 13-7 lead in the first set despite a pair of kills by Anna Schneider and strikes from Chappell and Brooklyn Snow. The Spirits were unable to pull any closer than the six-point margin as William Peace scored eight of its next 10 points via kills, including a pair from Brienna Laskowski, to secure the nine-point win.
With momentum on its side, William Peace again grabbed an early lead, 10-6, in the second frame. A series of kills by Valeria Rosa Lopez and Moulton trimmed the deficit to three, 11-8, but the Pacers took advantage of three unforced Salem errors and kills by Abby Benton to grab a 17-11 advantage. The Spirits retaliated with kills from Chappell and O'Connell, making for a five-point game, but William Peace took a 2-0 lead with three kills in the final five points.
The Spirits regained their composure heading into the third set, forcing two ties in the first five points, as they took advantage of a series of kills by Chappell. However, William Peace put together a 6-1 run, highlighted by two service aces from Benton and a kill by Emerson Scollo to move in front 11-6. The Pacers would maintain that five-point edge, despite two kills from O'Connell, as they forged ahead 21-13. Salem responded with just three points down the stretch, but a pair of slams by Paige Emore were key in providing the Pacers with the nine-point victory.
Salem returns to the court on Saturday, Sept. 14, for a pair of matches against both Maryville (11 a.m.) and Guilford (5 p.m.) at the Guilford College Invitational.
For more information on Salem volleyball check out www.salemspirits.com.
