Site: Raleigh, N.C.

Score:
Meredith 3, Salem 0 (25-16, 25-9, 25-22)

Records: Salem (7-3, 0-2 USA South) / Meredith (7-2, 1-0 USA South)

Up Next:
Salem at William Peace | September 16 | Raleigh, N.C. | 12 p.m.
Salem vs. (21) Mary Washington | September 16 | Raleigh, N.C. | 2 p.m.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Valeria Rosa Lopez drove home a team-best nine kills, finishing with a .381 attack percentage, and teammate Abrielle Eckenroth added five kills, but a highly-efficient hitting performance by Meredith resulted in a 25-16, 25-9, 25-22 triumph over the Spirits when the two teams collided in USA South Conference volleyball action on Thursday, September 14th.

Meredith, which finished with a .333 attack percentage, tallied 40 kills in 90 attempts, highlighted by a 10-kill outing by Sara Dees. While teammate Lillie Davis handed out 28 assist to lead the way for the Avenging Angels, the combination of 20 digs by Hannah Jo Jablonski and three solo blocks from Lauren Bissette, kept the Salem offense in check with a .172 attack percentage and 27 kills.

The tandem of Lopez and Eckenroth led the way offensively, while first year Adalyn Raney added three kills. Fellow rookie Jolina Bun was active on defense with eight digs, while Ashlyn Wood added 10 assists and six digs.

First Set Recap
Separated by no more than two points in the first 14 of the first, Salem pulled even at seven with an attack error by the Avenging Angels. Lopez added to kills and Eckenroth drove home one strike of her own, as the Spirits kept the frame tight at 13-12. Kinley Copeland drove home consecutive kills to stretch the Meredith lead to four, forcing a Salem timeout, as Meredith enjoyed a 7-1 run that established a 20-13 lead. Salem managed just three points down the stretch as the Avenging Angels completed the first set victory.

Second Set Recap
Salem's recent offensive woes continued in the second frame, managing just six points (.160 attack percentage), while Meredith drove home 13 kills and posted a .500 attack percentage. Lexie House notched four straight service aces and Bissette added two kills to help the Avenging Angels forge in front 12-3. The combination of Adalyn Raney, Lopez and Anna Rymer added kills for the Spirits, but the Meredith lead ballooned to 20-8. Three kills in the final five points for Meredith provided the Avenging Angels with a 2-0 advantage.

Third Set Recap
Salem had its best offensive output (15 kills / .238 attack percentage) in the third set, while Meredith's offense kept in stride with a 14 kills and a .306 attack percentage. The pair of Eckenroth and Aspen Bradley played a key role for the Salem offense in the third, giving the Spirits a 6-3 lead. Raney drove home two kills of her own, while adding a service ace, to force Meredith into a timeout with Salem leading 12-6. With Meredith charging for the lead, Jacie Jarvis delivered a key kill for the Spirits, but Bissette converted solo blocks to help pull the game even at 20. Meredith surrendered just two points down the stretch to complete its 16th win in the series with the Spirits.