WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Salem College women's volleyball opened postseason play with a commanding 3-0 sweep over Methodist University in the USA South Conference Tournament on Tuesday evening at Bryant Hall.
Ellie Scherer led Salem with a match-high 16 kills and a .483 hitting percentage.
Sadie Rich followed with 12 kills on a .524 hitting percentage, while
Ariana Noplos added 10 kills and hit .529.
Leah Rymer contributed nine kills, 24 assists and four digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1 | Salem 25, Methodist 21
Salem opened the match with an early advantage, building a 10-5 lead behind kills from Scherer, Rymer and Rich.
Methodist responded with a scoring run to tie the set at 13 before Salem regained control with three consecutive points to take a 16-13 lead.
The teams continued exchanging points down the stretch, but Salem maintained its advantage. A Methodist service error secured the 25-21 opening-set victory.
SET 2 | Salem 25, Methodist 11
Salem carried its momentum into the second set, establishing an early 7-1 advantage behind an offensive surge that included kills from Scherer, Noplos and Rich.
The team continued to build its lead, extending the margin to 16-3. Methodist attempted to respond, but Salem maintained control throughout the frame.
Leading 20-11, Salem closed the set with five consecutive points, capped by a kill from Scherer to secure the 25-11 victory.
SET 3 | Salem 25, Methodist 16
Methodist opened the third set with a 3-0 lead before Salem responded with five consecutive points to move ahead 5-3.
Salem continued to apply pressure, using a three-point run to extend its advantage to 16-11. Kills from Noplos, Rich and Scherer helped the team maintain control down the stretch.
With Salem holding a 24-16 advantage, Rymer delivered the final kill to secure the 25-16 victory and complete the three-set sweep.
INSIDE THE BOX
- Ellie Scherer recorded 16 kills, .483 hitting percentage and one solo block.
- Sadie Rich added 12 kills.
- Ariana Noplos registered 10 kills, .529 hitting percentage, six digs and two total blocks.
- Leah Rymer tallied 24 assists while Jolina Bun dished out 15
- Olivia Torres recorded a season-high 13 digs with two service aces.
- Salem held a 50-34 advantage in kills and finished with a .429 hitting percentage compared to Methodist's .183.
UP NEXT
With the victory, Salem advances to the semifinals round of the USA South Conference Volleyball Tournament, where they will face Southern Virginia on Thursday at 6pm.
