WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Winners of four of its last five matches, the Salem volleyball team heads to Rocky Mount, N.C., this weekend for a tri-match that features the Spirits, Greensboro and N.C. Wesleyan on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Salem (7-6, 3-1 USA South) will be looking to keep pace with fellow Meredith, as the two are locked in a battle for second place in the USA South Conference standings, one game off the pace established by Averett.
The Spirits open play at 12 p.m. on Saturday, facing off against host N.C. Wesleyan, before battling Greensboro at 2 p.m. Salem recently saw its four-match winning streak, which included three four-set victories, come to an end at Averett, following a 3-1 setback on Tuesday evening.
Kathryn O'Connell leads all Salem players in kills (127), following closely by Taylor Moulton with 107. Hannah Delcamp has piloted the Spirits' offense with 401 assists (8.35 assists / set), setting the standard for an offense that is averaging 10.88 kills / set.
Defensively, Moulton is setting the standard for the Spirits with 137 digs (2.85 digs / set), followed by O'Connell (136 digs) and Delcamp (119). The front row tandem of O'Connell (36 total blocks) and Anna Schneider (27) lead the way for a Salem unit that has 69 total blocks.
N.C. Wesleyan heads into the weekend with a 6-11 mark that includes a 1-3 record in USA South action. The Battling Bishops have lost four straight, including a recent 3-1 setback to Johnson & Wales on Thursday evening. Sydney Barnwell, with 178 kills (2.66 kills / set), and Haileigh Riesenbeck, who is responsible for 351 assists (5.24 assists / set) lead the way for N.C. Wesleyan on offense. Meanwhile, Sam Butensky (273 digs) and Lauren Weaver (40 total blocks) anchor the defensive efforts.
Greensboro (10-7, 2-1 USA South) is riding a two-match winning streak entering the weekend following a series of wins over Pfeiffer (3-2) and Emory & Henry (3-1). The Pride are led on offense by Hailey Stout (131 kills) and Sarah Egbers (114), while teammates Olivia Norris (255 assists) and Dixie Fulk (226) have quarterbacked the offense to 673 kills (10.85 kills / set).
Addie Haywood and Carly Uhlir are separated by two digs defensively, recording 168 and 166, respectively, while Sarah Oakes highlights the front row with 41 total blocks (13 solo).
For more information on Salem volleyball check out www.salemspirits.com.
