WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Salem College women's volleyball (22-6, 13-4 USA South) earned a three-set sweep over Methodist University (13-13, 9-8 USA South) on Tuesday evening at Bryant Hall, securing its 14th USA South Conference victory of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1 | Salem 25, Methodist 20
The opening set featured nine ties and three lead changes as both teams battled for control. After Methodist tied the score at 12, Salem responded with a 7-1 run to establish a 19-13 advantage.
Ellie Scherer contributed two kills during the run, while Rymer and
Katelynn Miller added one apiece.
Methodist narrowed the deficit to four points late in the set, but Noplos delivered the final kill to secure a 25-20 victory.
SET 2 | Salem 25, Methodist 23
Methodist opened the second set with an early advantage, building an 11-6 lead before Salem began working its way back into contention.
Trailing 23-18, Salem mounted a seven-point scoring run behind
Jolina Bun's serving to complete the comeback. Rymer recorded two kills during the stretch, while Bun delivered a service ace to tie the score at 23. Consecutive Methodist attack errors gave Salem the final two points and a 25-23 victory.
SET 3 | Salem 25, Methodist 17
Salem carried its momentum into the third set, jumping out to a 3-0 lead behind a kill from
Mariah Miller and consecutive blocks involving Noplos and
Taylor Cook. Salem extended its advantage to 9-2 before building a 13-4 lead following three consecutive Methodist attack errors.
The Monarchs attempted to close the gap, but Salem maintained control throughout the remainder of the set. Scherer delivered the final kill to secure the 25-17 victory and complete the sweep.
INSIDE THE BOX
- Ellie Scherer led Salem with a match-high 12 kills, including five in the second set and four in the third.
- Leah Rymer recorded a double-double with nine kills and 11 digs while adding a team-high 17 assists.
- Ariana Noplos finished with seven kills, two service aces and two block assists
- Jolina Bun registered 13 assists, five digs and a service ace.
- Sadie Lippard led Salem defensively with a match-high 17 digs, while Olivia Torres contributed 15 digs.
- Salem limited Methodist to 29 kills and a .058 hitting percentage.
UP NEXT
Salem will close out its 2026 regular season on Saturday, Nov. 7, traveling to Mary Baldwin University for a noon USA South Conference matchup.
