MORGAN'S MESSAGE PHOTO GALLERY
Salem junior Brianna Moore is a two-time letterwinner on the Spirits volleyball team. She is majoring in exercise science with a double minor in psychology and health advocacy. Moore came to Salem after graduating from James B. Hunt High School in 2020, where she was a two-sport athlete in both volleyball (four years) and softball (two years) during her career.
Moore spent her first year at Salem during the 2020-21 COVID protocols and made her first appearance on the courts in 2021. In that season, Moore was one of three players, along with Brooklyn Snow and Macy Nelson, to play all 24 matches (85 sets) for the Spirits. As a result, she led the team in assists (451) at a clip of 5.31 assists/set. She ended the slate with six double-double performances, reaching double figure assists and digs in the same match, and tallied eight service aces. Moore established her single-match season-high in assists (44), while contributing nine digs, at Ferrum (Sept. 16).
The Lucama, N.C., native returned in 2022, and was part of the best turnarounds in Salem volleyball and USA South Conference history. After finishing 1-23 in the 2021 campaign, and were picked ninth in the league's preseason polls, the Spirits finished 21-10 overall and 12-6 in USA South Conference action in 2022. That resulted in the most conference wins in program history and established the single-season mark for the best turnaround in league history along the way.
With 19 more overall wins than the previous season, Salem bested the 2010 Greensboro volleyball team's mark of 16 wins, for the best turnaround in league history. Salem is one of 12 programs in USA South Conference since 2001 to improve its win total by at least 10 wins. The 21-10 mark also resulted in the best win percentage (.677) for the Spirits in volleyball history.
Moore was a first-hand witness to one of the most drastic roster overhauls in program history, having 10 players in her 2021 squad, to adding 11 first-year players and one sophomore prior to the start of fhte 2022 season. As a result, time and space on the court was limited, which resulted in Moore appearing in eight matches (13 sets) over the course of the slate. She handed out 24 assists, made four digs and notched one service ace.
However, her impact away from the court stretched across the Salem campus and the Department of Athletics with her work with Morgan's Message. In addition to her role with Morgan's Message, she also serves as the Vice President of the Campus Activity Board (CAB), a residential assistant, member of the Rotaract Club and is a student representative for Engaging Ethics.
"Morgan's Message is a national organization that we have brought to Salem," describes Moore. "Our mission is to amplify stories, resources, and expertise to confront athlete mental health on campus, as well as build a community by and for athletes that provide a platform for advocacy. Our main goal is to allow all students to know it is okay to not be okay and that for athletes you are more than just an athlete."
Over the past year Moore has spearheaded an effort to have had dedication games for each sport, educational meetings that implement the Kevin Love Educational Program, had professional guest speakers discussing eating disorders, held a sports equipment drive for foster children, and had a Cycle Bar Charity ride to raise money to help destigmatize mental health struggles. We have big plans for the chapter coming up in the next year such as a community color run on homecoming weekend with alumni and current students together.
This cause is obviously special to Moore, who experienced anxiety and panic attacks during her first year as an online student at Salem. "I spent my first year in college as a full time online student, a full-time receptionist at an urgent care and a volunteer coach," described Moore. "I was putting myself under a lot of stress with the desire to be perfect and also wanting to excel athletically when I got to Salem. When I became a sophomore, my first year on campus, I continued to battle with my mental health. Admitting that I was not okay and asking for help was the turning point for me. I was then empowered to bring Morgan's Message to life at Salem."
Moore ensured herself that her first year teammates would not endure the same experience in 2022. "As a captain and upperclassman for volleyball I tried to be a support system for my teammates as much as I can," said Moore. "It can be difficult transitioning from high school athletics to a college level team and I experienced that pressure and imposter syndrome first hand, so I know what the possibilities could have been for my incoming and current teammates. I always try to live by the concept that I would rather be remembered for the person I am rather than just athletics, grades, or titles. I try to live by that and I hope I have impacted my younger teammates to know they are more than just the number on their jersey."
That impact was realized first-hand by Salem volleyball head coach Barry Rymer. Rymer said of his junior setter "I am so proud of Bria for helping start the Morgan's Message Chapter at Salem College," stated Rymer. "It is awesome to see her take a leadership role in an area that has become so important to athletes. I am thankful that students at Salem have an organization that is putting such a priority on mental health awareness."