WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Salem College women's volleyball opened its 2026 home slate with a pair of victories Saturday, defeating Pfeiffer University, 3-1, before closing the Salem Tri-Match with a five-set victory over Carolina University.
HOW IT HAPPENED
MATCH ONE: SALEM 3, PFEIFFER 1
SET 1 (PFEIFFER 25, SALEM 21)
Pfeiffer took the opening set behind 18 kills and a .395 hitting percentage. Salem finished with 13 kills in the frame but was unable to overcome the Falcons' efficient attack, falling 25-21.
SET 2 (SALEM 25, PFEIFFER 9)
Salem responded in dominant fashion in the second set. The Salem offense committed just two attack errors and hit .400 while holding Pfeiffer to four kills and a -.042 hitting percentage to even the match with a 25-9 victory.
SET 3 (SALEM 25, PFEIFFER 19)
Salem carried its momentum into the third, recording 15 kills to take control of the match with a 25-19 win.
SET 4 (SALEM 25, PFEIFFER 12)
Salem closed out the match with another efficient offensive performance, hitting .364 with 15 kills and only three errors in the fourth. The 25-12 victory secured Salem's first home win of the season.
MATCH TWO: SALEM 3, CAROLINA 2
SET 1 (CAROLINA 25, SALEM 23)
The second match opened with a back-and-forth battle featuring 11 ties and three lead changes. Carolina narrowly took the opening frame, 25-23, despite Salem recording 19 kills.
SET 2 (SALEM 25, CAROLINA 20)
Salem answered in the second set, hitting .275 with 15 kills to even the match at one set apiece with a 25-20 victory.
SET 3 (CAROLINA 25, SALEM 16)
Carolina regained the advantage in the third, holding Salem to eight kills and a .161 hitting percentage on its way to a 25-16 win.
SET 4 (SALEM 27, CAROLINA 25)
Facing a 2-1 deficit, Salem battled through a tight fourth set to force a decisive fifth frame. Salem recorded 18 kills in the set and held off Carolina for a 27-25 victory, evening the match at 2-2.
SET 5 (SALEM 15, CAROLINA 7)
Salem saved its most efficient offensive performance for the deciding set. Salem committed zero attack errors, putting down 11 kills on 25 attempts for a .440 hitting percentage to secure the 15-7 win and complete the home-opening sweep.
INSIDE THE BOX
- Ariana Noplos totaled 27 kills across the two matches, highlighted by 19 kills on .581 hitting against Carolina.
- Ellie Scherer recorded 27 kills on the day, including 18 kills with just one error on 26 attempts for a .654 hitting percentage against Pfeiffer.
- Leah Rymer finished the tri-match with 21 kills, 39 assists and 29 digs, including a double-double in both matches.
- Tenley McDonald combined for 23 kills, recording 11 against Pfeiffer and 12 against Carolina.
- Sadie Lippard led Salem defensively with 45 digs, while Polly Lennie added 30 digs across the two victories.
