WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Salem volleyball team closes out the 2019 home slate this week with a pair of matches against Pfeiffer and Meredith at Varsity Gym. The Spirits, who will play a total of four matches in a five-day stretch, will host Pfeiffer on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. Two days later, Salem will hold Senior Day festivities in a meeting with Meredith at 7 p.m.
Salem (13-10, 9-5 USA South) has snagged seven wins in October, including a pair of recent triumphs against N.C. Wesleyan (3-0) and Greensboro (3-1), which came in a tri-match hosted by The Pride on Saturday, Oct. 26. The Spirits have defended their home court well this season, posting a 5-2 mark at Varsity Gym.
The Salem offensive attack is led by the trio of Kathryn O'Connell (221 kills), Taylor Moulton (200 kills) and Hannah Delcamp (736 assists), which has resulted in 938 kills (11.44 kills / set) and an attack percentage of .155.
O'Connell is also making her presence felt on defense with 70 total blocks (50 assisted blocks), while Moulton leads the way with 260 digs. Freshman Valeria Rosa Lopez, who is third on the team in digs (208), leads the way for the Spirits with 42 service aces.
Pfeiffer (12-13, 3-10 USA South) has dropped its last six matches, dating back to a five-set loss to N.C. Wesleyan on Oct. 12. Three of those six losses have come by virtue of three-set losses.
The Falcons are led by the combination of Alonna Clouse (290 kills), Angelina Fardella (596 assists), Emma Gray Beacham (306 digs) and Reagan Wyatt (52 total blocks). Pfeiffer has amassed 1,041 kills (11.07 kills / set), 890 digs (9.47 digs / set) and 111 total blocks over the course of the season.
Meredith (18-7, 12-2) is in the midst of a five-match winning streak, which began following a sweep of Pfeiffer on Oct. 19. The Avenging Angels, who are in second place in the USA South East Division standings, are 6-4 on the road and 6-2 in neutral site matches in 2019.
Caroline Corey, who is one of five players with at least 140 kills on the season, leads all Meredith hitters with 270 kills (2.84 kills / set). Teammate Lauren Grodi, responsible for 428 assists (4.76 assists / set), has played a key role in helping the Avenging Angels' offense to 1,134 kills (11.94 kills / set) and a .204 attack percentage.
Lauren Phillips tops the Meredith lineup with 505 digs (5.32 digs / set), while teammate Cathy Delano and Kenzie Moore are tied in total blocks with 69 apiece.
Salem concludes the 2019 regular season on Sunday, Nov. 3, when the Spirits head to Virginia for a tri-match with Sewanee and Emory & Henry.
For more information on Salem volleyball check out www.salemspirits.com.
