WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Salem volleyball team, riding a two-match winning streak after earning victories against Piedmont International and Methodist, will host a tri-match on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Varsity Gym that includes both Mary Baldwin and William Peace.
The tri-match begins at 12 p.m. when the Spirits square off against Mary Baldwin. Following the conclusion of that match, William Peace will face off against the Fighting Squirrels at approximately 2 p.m. The final match of the afternoon begins at approximately 4 p.m. when Salem clashes with William Peace for the second time this season.
Salem (5-5, 1-0 USA South) came through with a 25-21, 25-21, 24-26 and 25-21 road victory over Methodist on Wednesday, marking the first time the Spirits claimed back-to-back wins since Oct. 20, 2018, when they downed N.C. Wesleyan (3-0) and Greensboro (3-0) in a tri-match.
The tandem of Kathryn O'Connell and Taylor Moulton, who both topped double-digit kills against Methodist, continue to lead the way for Salem in kills with 91 and 80, respectively. Teammate Hannah Delcamp, who has handed out 299 assists through the first 10 matches, has quarterbacked the offense to 389 total kills (10.51 kills / set) and a .135 attack percentage.
Defensively, Salem has three players with 100 digs, including Moulton (109), O'Connell (108) and Delcamp (101). Meanwhile, the front row is led by the O'Connell (28 total blocks) and Anna Schneider (21), highlighting a unit that has combined for 55 total blocks (13 solo blocks).
MARY BALDWIN (1-14, 0-1 USA South): Mary Baldwin is in the midst of a 12-match losing streak, which began with four-set loss to Wilson on Aug. 31. That streak includes a recent 3-0 setback to Greensboro in the first USA South Conference match of the slate on Wednesday evening.
Rachel Christian tops the team with 206 kills (3.75 kills / set), while Emma Tomlinson has handed out a team-high 396 assists (7.20 assists / set). Madison Cash is among the Fighting Squirrels' leader on defense with 247 digs (4.66 digs / set) along with Madison Varner, who is responsible for 32 total blocks (27 assisted).
WILLIAM PEACE (10-3, 0-1 USA South): The Pacers enter the weekend on a two-match losing streak after suffering setbacks to Washington &Lee (Sept. 21) and N.C. Wesleyan (Sept. 24) in succession. William Peace clashed with Salem just over two weeks ago, on Sept. 13, as part of the Guilford College Invitational, emerging with a 3-0 win by scores of 25-16, 25-18 and 25-16.
Mya Parks, who tops the William Peace lineup with 135 kills (3.86 kills / set), is one of three Pacers with 100 kills on the season along with Abby Benton (121) and Brienna Laskowski (102). The unit, which is responsible for 15.15 kills / set, is piloted by Brittany Carpenter's 238 assists (5.38 assist / set). Bergin Gillespie (203 digs) and Brianna Davis (31 total blocks) top the William Peace defensive statistics.
For more volleyball on Salem tennis check out www.salemspirits.com.
