RALEIGH, N.C. – Salem's sophomore outside hitter Valeria Rosa Lopez recorded her 12th double-double of the season and third in as many matches, coming through with 10 kills and 10 digs, but William Peace tallied 38 kills (.211 attack percentage) to earn a 25-15, 25-17, 25-17 victory in USA South volleyball action on Thursday evening in Raleigh, N.C.
Brooklyn Snow (six kills) and Nikita Sizemore (four) were also instrumental for the Salem offensive attack, while Brianna Moore emerged with 12 assists and 10 digs. That marked Moore's sixth double-double of the campaign.
Salem (0-21, 0-15 USA South) managed to grab the lead early in the first set, 4-1, and maintained its advantage until a kill by Landis Limon and service ace from Mackenzie Russell tied the set at nine-all. William Peace (18-11, 13-3 USA South) grabbed the lead by two after consecutive kills from Shelby Cooper and Madeline Simpson. The Pacer lead ballooned to seven, 21-14, with Keslee Hylton in serve. Salem managed just one point down the stretch as William Peace completed the 10-point triumph.
A Russell kill coupled with Emerson Scollo in serve opened the door to an 8-2 Pacers' lead early in the second. Simpson slammed home a kill for the 10th William Peace point, but the Spirits answered with three kills from Snow to make for a 15-10 contest. The Pacers regained their previous offensive form, scoring four straight, three with Scollo in serve, to assume the eight-point advantage. Kills from the combination of Lopez, Snow and Brianna Cherry were not enough to offset strikes by Simpson and Scollo as William Peace emerged 25-17.
Salem replicated its first set start in the third frame, jumping out to a 6-3 lead following a block by both Taylor Alleyne and Laken Edwards. William Peace climbed back into the game with a 5-2 rally, evening the contest at eight-all. Four Pacer kills and three blocks over the next 16 points resulted in a 19-13 lead for the home unit. Lopez drove home her 10th kill of the match inside the final nine points, but William Peace emerged victorious.
Salem closes out the 2021 season this weekend when the Spirits make the trip to Meisenheimer, N.C., to face both Southern Virginia (12 p.m.) and Mary Baldwin (2 p.m.).
