Vikings Hold Off Becker 3-2

SALEM, MASS. – Salem State won a fifth and deciding set 15-11 to defeat the Becker Hawks 3-2 in the Vikings' season opener on Tuesday evening at Twohig Gymnasium. Salem State opens the year at 1-0 while Becker slips to 2-1.

Despite losing the first set 25-16, the Vikings came back to win the second and third sets, 25-20 and 25-21 repectively. Darcy McDowell (Goshen, N.Y.) registered six kills to help Salem State pull away in game two, while Becker hit at a -.022 clip to lose the third set.    

The Hawks rebounded in set four securing a 25-15 win as the Hawks went on a 7-1 run to close out the win. Leading 10-8, two kills each by McDowell and Jasmine Severino (Lawrence, Mass.) and a solo kill from Sara Corey (Whatley, Mass.) preserved the win in game five.  

McDowell finished with a game-high 14 kills and 15 digs while, Severino, Brynn O'Neill (Danvers, Mass.) and Maddi O'Connor (Hamilton, Mass.) notched seven kills each. Mackenzie Salls (Turners Falls, Mass.) led the way with 46 assists and 11 digs. Dina Roman (Iwakuni, Japan) topped Salem State with 19 digs.

Kayla Dupree (North Bergen, N.J) led the Hawks with 10 kills while Sofia Cullina (Deep River, Conn.) had 20 digs.