HARRISBURG, Va. - The Salem College volleyball team split their season opener on the road at the Route 42 Classic with a 3-1 win over Lynchburg and a 3-1 loss to Eastern Mennonite.
vs. Lynchburg
A five-point run would start the day off for Salem in the first match of 2018. Further along, the Hornets had refocused and tied the match 10-10, from here until 19-19 neither team gave up more than two points in a row. Taylor Moulton would head to the line to serve where she remained through the 25-19 set win.
The second set favored Lynchburg as the Hornets held several runs helping them extend an early lead. Lynchburg would take the second set 25-20.
Salem would extend to 17 points in the third set before the Hornets could break into double-digit points. However with a 22-16 lead, Lynchburg began to gain ground and eventually the lead at 23-22. A bad set from the Hornets would give Salem the tying point and the serve, winning the set 25-23.
In similar fashion to the earlier sets, the two teams would trade point-for-point deep into the fourth set. Up two points, Salem went on a four-point run to close out a 25-19 win and claim their season opener 3-1.
vs. Eastern Mennonite
EMU jumped out early and took the first two sets over Salem. In set two, the Spirits battled forcing extra points eventually falling 28-26.
The Royals stumbled in the third set as Salem excelled to a 16-7 lead. Salem was at 21 by the time EMU reached 10 points. On top 24-14, the Royals had a service error giving Salem its only set over EMU.
After going down 4-0 early in the fourth, Alexis Sunderland subbed in and led SC on a six-point run. The Royals would answer going ahead 9-7 and would only give away the lead once more before they closed out the game 25-16.
Salem Standouts
Moulton gathered 16 kills and 20 digs in the season opener against Lynchburg.
Maggie Hawks showed her defensive skill collecting 21 digs in the first game and 39 in the second.
The win against Lynchburg marks the first win for Salem under Coach Catherine Head.
Up Next
Salem is back in action for day two of the Route 42 Classic, taking on Bryn Mawr at 10:00 a.m. and Bridgewater at 12:00 p.m.