WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Salem volleyball team will square off against a pair of USA South Conference opponents, Averett and Pfeiffer, during a three-day stretch beginning on Tuesday evening in Danville, Va.

On Tuesday evening, Salem makes the short trek to the Commonwealth of Virginia to face Averett at 7 p.m., before returning home to host Pfeiffer at 7 p.m. in Varsity Gym.

Salem (0-11, 0-5 USA South) remains in search of its first win under first-year head coach Barry Rymer. The Spirits have played five true road matches and three home games, while competing in three neutral matches in 2021.

IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR THURSDAY'S HOME MATCH: Salem College Department of Athletics announced for inside contests we will be recognizing the institutional policy of checking vaccine cards or tests 72 hours in advance for events over 50 people. Salem Academy and College faculty, staff and students will be allowed to view indoor athletic contests in person and will be required to show their Salem ID. All contests will be live streamed and accessible to the public via our website. Salem Athletics reserves the right to update these policies without prior notice.

LEADING THE WAY FOR THE SPIRITS: Valeria Rosa Lopez enters the week with 79 kills and 66 digs, which both top the respective statistical categories, for the Spirits in USA South Conference play. Lopez is averaging 4.16 kills/set and 3.47 digs/set for Salem in league play.

Also among key offensive contributors for Salem are Brooklyn Snow (57 kills) and Brianna Moore (147 assists). Snow is averaging 3.00 kills/set, while Moore is handing out assists at a clip of 7.74 assists/set. Macy Nelson ranks second on the Salem unit in conference play with 50 digs, while Taylor Alleyne tops the front row with 10 blocks (four solo) versus league opposition.

AVERETT ANALYSIS: Averett heads into the week with a 13-5 overall record and is 5-3 in USA South action. The Cougars have grabbed seven of those wins at home and have won two of their last three matches, including a home triumph over N.C. Wesleyan (3-0) on Friday, October 8th.

Sarah Shropshire (75 kills), Lauren Montren (74) and Morgan Barnes (69) lead the way for an offense that has tallied 352 kills in eight league contests. Kinsley Stevens, averaging 7.31 assists/set, has handed out a team-best 212 assists.

Erin Gray tops the Cougars in digs with 130 against USA South opposition, while Emma Nash has made 20 blocks (seven solo) to highlight the front row.

All-Time Series (vs. Averett)
(Averett leads series 7-1)

PFEIFFER ANALYSIS: Pfeiffer (15-6, 5-4 USA South) pays a visit to Salem on Thursday at 7 p.m. The Falcons are 5-2 on the road this season and have won three of their last four matches. Those recent wins came over N.C. Wesleyan, Johnson & Wales and Mary Baldwin, while the one setback came to Southern Virginia.

The top offensive performer in USA South play for Pfeiffer is Morgan Shrader, who has 79 kills. That is 10 more kills than teammate Reagan Wyatt and 17 more than Anya Parker in league play. Kylee Mayberry leads the unity with 209 assists (5.91 assists/set) and Kira Suttles has handed out 145 (4.03 assists/set).

In USA South play the Falcon defense has been led on the back row by Emma Gray Beacham, who has 140 digs (3.89 digs/set). Meanwhile, the front row trio of Mattie Burris (34 total blocks), Wyatt (33) and Parker (23) have proved to be nuisance for opponents, giving Pfeiffer a 69-53.5 edge in that category.

All-Time Series (vs. Pfeiffer)
(Pfeiffer leads series 4-2)