The Salem High volleyball team will play host to Patrick Henry in a big River Ridge District match tonight. Salem comes in at 6-5 on the season after a four-set loss Tuesday at home against Christiansburg.
The Spartans have been up and down thus far. On Saturday they played in a tri-match in Lynchburg with host E.C. Glass and Mecklenburg County.
Salem lost in five to Glass after having a one-set lead twice, falling 19-25, 25-15, 17-25, 25-20 and 15-8. Against Mecklenburg County they bounced back with a three-set win.
Last Thursday the Spartans hosted Hidden Valley and won in four, 25-21, 28-26, 17-25 and 25-22. Kourtney Goens led the Salemites in that one with 18 kills. Evie Van Liew and MarKiya Webb had seven kills each.
On Tuesday of this week Salem played host to Christiansburg, a district rival who was the Class 3 state runner-up last year. The Salem girls won the first set, 25-21, but the Demons rallied to take the next three, 25-21, 25-21 and 25-17.
“We played well and stayed right with them,” said Salem coach Basil Conner. “They didn’t make as many mistakes as we did and that was the difference.”
Van Liew had nine kills and four blocks against the Demons. Webb had four kills and six blocks.
Next week the Spartans have back-to-back matches on Tuesday and Wednesday, both at home. Pulaski County is here Tuesday for a River Ridge game and a night later the Spartans host Roanoke Catholic in a non-district match.
