Site: Winston-Salem, N.C.

Score: Salem 3, Johnson & Wales 1 (25-9, 20-25, 25-10, 25-15)

Records: Salem (1-0) / Johnson & Wales (5-5)

Up Next: Salem at Randolph, September 7th

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.— An all-around effort by the Salem volleyball team, which included standout individual performances from Anna Rymer (21 kills), Aspen Bradley (13 kills), Macy Nelson (16 digs) and Ashlyn Wood (24 assists), helped the Spirits earn a 3-1 victory (25-9, 20-25, 25-10, 25-15) in the season-opener over Johnson & Wales on Tuesday evening at Varsity Gym.

Rymer and Bradley were joined in double-digit kills by Valeria Rosa Lopez, who posted 10 along with a .368 attack percentage. Rymer capped off the match by hitting a .679 attack percentage, making 28 total attacks in the contest. Meanwhile, Bradley posted a .231 attack percentage as her first-year classmate Wood dished out a team-best 24 assists.

The back row was anchored by Macy Nelson, who emerged with 16 digs. Ella Brameus added eight, along with two kills for the Spirits. As a unit, Salem capped off the victory with a .324 attack percentage, closing with 57 kills and limiting itself to just 23 miscues in 105 attempts.

FIRST SET NOTES
Salem emerged with a .571 attack percentage, capping off the set with 10 kills.
With the set tied at 5-5, Salem would put together a 9-0 run behind the service game of Lopez to move in front 14-5.
A timely kill from Bradley extended the lead to 16-6, as the Spirits eventually moved in front 21-7 with a series of kills from Bradley, Ashlyn Wood and Rymer. Rymer added two kills down the stretch to help earn the first set win.

SECOND SET NOTES
The best hitting hit set (.273 attack percentage) by the Wildcats in the match.
Facing a 20-15 deficit late in the match, following a kill from Bradley, Johnson & Wales scored the final 10 points of the frame with Ahmarie Young in serve, to even the match at 1-1.

THIRD SET NOTES
Salem equaled its first set hitting percentage (.571) after coming through with 15 kills.
Spirits assumed a 10-1 advantage early in the frame and established their offensive rhythm. Timely kills by Rymer and Bradley helped keep Salem in front as it built a 19-8 advantage.
Lopez closed out the set with a kill as the Spirits moved in front 2-1.

FOURTH SET NOTES
Salem stormed out to a 10-2 lead in the fourth set and eventually stretched that lead to nine (14-5) after a kill from Bradley.
Rymer and Bradley came through with strikes down the stretch, extending the lead to 20-12, as Salem allowed just three points down the stretch in the victory.

SALEM NOTES
Spirits improve to 7-7 all-time in season openers and are 7-6 in home openers at Varsity Gym.
The win at Varsity Gym marks the first home victory for Salem head coach Barry Rymer.
Salem is now 2-1 in the all-time series with Johnson & Wales, winning both matches at home.