Site: Winston-Salem, N.C. / Varsity Gym

Score:
Salem 3, Pfeiffer 0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-20)

Records:
Salem (13-5, 5-3 USA South) / Pfeiffer (5-8, 1-6 USA South)

Up Next:
Salem at Southern Virginia | October 5 | Buena Vista, Va. | 6 p.m. | Varsity Gym

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A three-set victory over Pfeiffer at Varsity Gym on Saturday afternoon, highlighted by eight kills from Aspen Bradley, resulted in the 2023 Salem volleyball team equaling 2017 unit for the program record of most consecutive wins (six).

Salem, which moved to 13-5 overall and 5-3 in USA South Conference action, began its current six-match winning streak with a 3-1 triumph over Brevard on September 19th. Since that point the Spirits have claimed victories against N.C. Wesleyan (twice), Methodist, William Peace and Pfeiffer. The victory also marks the fifth sweep by Salem in the first month of the season and second of the last six outings.

Bradley topped individual leaders with eight kills in 16 attempts, while Anna Rymer added seven and Abrielle Eckenroth came through with six. The Spirits offense, which struggled to find its rhythm, tallied 31 digs by virtue of 15 assists from Ashlyn Wood and 11 from Rymer. Salem's defensive support came from Valeria Rosa Lopez, who tallied seven digs and five kills. Bradley was also active with three solo blocks.

First Set Recap
A dominating performance by Victoria Stratmann in serve, along with two slams from Eckenroth, allowed the Spirits to establish a 9-0 lead. Pfeiffer answered by scoring seven of the next 11 points, including a slam from Madison Tate, to pull within six, 13-7. Six unforced Falcon errors, along with a service ace from Rymer, stretched the Salem lead to 21-12. Bradley added two kills down the stretch to help the Spirits post the 10-point win.

Second Set Recap
Eckenroth replicated Stratmann's performance in serve to start the first, allowing Salem to grab a 5-0 lead in the early stages with support from Lopez with two kills along with Rymer and Adalyn Raney, who teamed for an assisted block. Bradley drove home kill to stretch the Salem lead to 11-5, before Lopez came through with three kills that resulted in an 18-11 advantage. Pfeiffer trimmed the deficit to five on three occasions, but Salem used a block and a kill from Rymer to earn the set victory.

Third Set Recap
The Falcons regrouped during the intermission and forced four ties in the first 14 points of the set to make for a seven-all deadlock. A series of unforced Salem errors provided Pfeiffer a two-point cushion, 9-7, which eventually ballooned to three with an attack error. Stratmann answered with a service ace, while the trio of Rymer, Bradley and Raney tallied one kill each to eventually provide Salem with a 20-17 advantage. Salem surrendered just three points down the stretch, while Rymer and Bradley came through with kills and Jolina Bun tallied a service ace to complete the sweep.

SALEM NOTES
-The 2023 Salem volleyball team equaled 2017 unit for the program record of most consecutive wins (six).
-The Spirits have claimed victories against N.C. Wesleyan (twice), Methodist, William Peace and Pfeiffer during their streak.