FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Kendall Craig finished with 13 kills while Hannah Hewett emerged with 18 digs and 30 assists as Methodist earned a 25-10, 27-25 and 25-10 victory over Salem at the Riddle Center in Fayetteville, N.C., in USA South Conference volleyball action.

Craig led the way with 13 kills as the duo of Jeanana Fowler and Erica East added eight kills apiece. The back row was led by Hewett, while the trio of Janie Harmelink (16), Geneva Barriger (14) and Ellie Atkins (10) also reached double figure digs.

Brooklyn Snow and Nikita Sizemore, who finished with seven and six kills, respectively, led the way for the Salem offense. Brianna Moore closed out her fifth double-double (11 digs/10 assists) of the slate. Defensively, Salem had three players top double-digit digs, including Macy Nelson (17), Valeria Rosa Lopez (15) and Moore.

The Monarchs (9-14, 2-10 USA South) established themselves early in the first set, jumping out to a 13-3 lead, but Lopez and Sizemore came through with kills by Lopez and Sizemore that sliced the lead to seven. Methodist remained in front, despite a slam from Sizemore and an unforced error, to make for a 15-8 contest. However, a five-point unanswered run pushed the Monarchs lead to 12, as they would go onto win 25-10.

Timely kills by Brianna Cherry, Taylor Alleyne and Sizemore helped Salem rally from an early deficit in the second set as the Spirits pulled even at eight. Snow drove home three kills, forging Salem in front 13-11. Over the next 20 points the two teams would endure seven ties, inkling a 22-22 deadlock, by virtue of a Salem miscue. The Spirits capitalized on a Methodist error and a slam from Lopez to move in front 24-22, however three kills down the stretch allowed the Monarchs to secure the two-point win in the second set.

With the opportunity to close out the three-set victory, Methodist regained its previous offensive rhythm by jumping in front 12-3 behind seven kills and three off the hand of Erica East. Lopez countered with a pair of strikes for the Spirits, making for a 12-5 score, before an 8-0 run by Methodist extended the advantage to 15 points. A Snow kill and service ace by Moore highlighted two of the final five points for Salem, which suffered a 25-10 setback.

Salem returns to action on Tuesday, October 19th, when the Spirits host Meredith at Varsity Gym at 7 p.m.