WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Fresh off a four-set victory against USA South Conference member Brevard on Friday, Sept. 6, the Salem volleyball team heads to Greensboro this weekend for a tri-match with William Peace, Maryville and Guilford as part of the Guilford College Invitational.
The Spirits, who are 3-2 on the season, open the two-day event against William Peace when the two teams clash at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13. Salem, in search of back-to-back wins for the first time in 2019, last won consecutive matches against N.C. Wesleyan (3-0) and Greensboro (3-0) on Oct. 20, 2018.
The second match of the tournament for the Spirits will take place on Saturday, Sept. 14, against Maryville. The two teams square off in the 11 a.m. match, marking the third all-time meeting between the two USA South Conference programs.
Salem returns to the court at 5 p.m. to face the host Quakers. Guilford owns an 18-2 advantage in the head-to-head series since the 2008 season, winning 17 consecutive matches between 2009 and 2016. However, the two teams have split the last two matches, with Salem earning a 3-0 on Sept. 18, 2017.
ANALYZING THE SPIRITS
Salem heads into the match led individually by Kathryn O'Connell (45 kills), Taylor Moulton (39), Brooklyn Snow (38) and Madelyn Chappell (35), which has provided a 206-171 advantage in kills. Teammate Hannah Delcamp has quarterbacked the offense with 156 assists (8.67 assists / set), while coming through with 53 digs.
Like Delcamp, O'Connell has been instrumental on defense with 13 total blocks (11 assisted). Anna Schneider has contributed eight blocks (six assisted), while Snow is responsible for six blocks, all assisted.
BREAKING DOWN THIS WEEKEND'S OPPONENTS
William Peace (6-0) participated in the Johnson & Wales Wildcat Invitational in Denver, Colo., last weekend, posting straight set wins against Marian (Sept. 6), Rockford (Sept. 6) and Lewis & Clark (Sept. 7). Mya Parks tops all Pacer hitters with 68 kills (3.58 kills / set) while Sarah Scott has handed out 110 sets (6.47 assists / set), leading the way for an offensive unit that is averaging 12.95 kills / set. Defensively, William Peace is led by the tandem of Bergin Gillespie (105 digs) and Brianna Davis (16 total blocks).
Maryville (4-3) has won three of its four matches in September, including back-to-back wins over Ferrum (3-0) and Hollins (3-0) at the Roanoke Invitational on Sept. 7. The Scots are led offensively by Brianne Sidner (64 kills) and Saidee McDaniel (136 assists), while the combination of Maggie Mathews (71 digs) and Dejane Hester-Taylor (13 total blocks) guide the way for the Maryville defense.
Tournament host Guilford (3-3) rebounded from a tough opening weekend of action to collect three straight wins against Pfeiffer (3-0), Piedmont International (3-2) and Brevard (3-0) last week. Christian Ritter (39 kills) and Tina Eucker (105 assists) are the standouts for the Quaker offense, while Ritter (67 digs) has teamed with Mackenzie Calton (11 total blocks) to lead the defensive efforts.
For more information on Salem volleyball check out www.salemspirits.com.
