By Brian Hoffman
The Salem High volleyball team will conclude a busy stretch of matches tonight when the Spartans host Patrick Henry in a jayvee-varsity doubleheader. It will be Salem’s sixth match in 10 days.
The Spartans played three matches in three days last week, beginning with a loss to Cave Spring on Tuesday, September 20. They bounced back a night later to defeat Northside in four sets at SHS. The Spartans lost the first set in a close finish, 26-24, but won the next three convincingly, 25-18, 25-17 and 25-13.
Ella Walker and Reese Redford led the Spartans with a dozen kills each while Kai Bowen had 10 kills and a 10 aces. Walker had four aces and a couple blocks, Redford had 16 digs and Makenzie Board had 26 assists and four aces.
On Thursday Salem beat Roanoke Catholic in three sets in Salem, 25-15, 25-17 and 25-15. Walker had eight kills and three blocks, Bowen had five kills and nine aces, Redford had five kills and 11 digs and Board led in assists with 16 and served up four aces.
This week began with a game at Faith Christian on Monday and Salem won for the third straight time, but this one was a marathon match that went five sets. Salem pulled out the fifth set in extra points, 19-17, after splitting the first four, 25-9, 19-25, 25-23 and 24-26.
This time Autumn Bailey led in kills with nine while Walker had eight kills and four blocks. Redford had 14 digs and three aces and Board had 25 assists and a half dozen aces.
The Spartans were back on the road Tuesday, and they were also back in the River Ridge District with a trip to Pulaski County. The girls picked up their fourth win in a row by putting the Cougars away in three games, 25-20, 25-12 and 25-22. Walker had seven kills for Salem, Bowen had seven more aces and Myah Crews had seven digs in the win as the Spartans improved to 9-5 on the season.
The second half of district play begins tonight with the home match against PH. Next Tuesday, October 4, the girls will host Christiansburg.
