Owls Topple Vikings in Four Sets
Posted: Oct 16, 2024

Owls Topple Vikings in Four Sets

Game Leaders
Westfield St.
K: Emma Nihill - 10
B: Julia Bartiet - 2
D: Sydney Cummins - 16
SA: 2 Players (#3, #12) - 4
Salem St.
K: Presley Shairs - 9
B: Presley Shairs - 5
D: Keira Doherty - 15
SA: Haley Phillips - 3
Team Stats
Full stats

SALEM, Mass. -- Salem State earned an opening set victory, but Westfield State roared back, winning three straight sets to defeat the Vikings, 21-25, 25-16, 25-12 and 25-12 to earn their ninth win of the year (9-10) and remain unbeaten (3-0) in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC). Salem State is now 2-15 on the season and 0-3 in conference. 

How it Happened

  • Salem State hit .500% in set one, erasing an early five-point deficit. Three kills by Presley Shairs and three aces by Haley Philips spurred the comeback. Sydney Cummins, who had four first set kills gave Westfield State a 7-2 advantage. The Vikings battled back with a 9-4 run to finally tie the set at 19-all. Back-to-back errors by the Owls put Salem State on top 21-20 enroute to a four-point win.
  • Emma Nihill led Westfield State to a second set win, providing four kills. Tied, 4-4, the Owls scored 16 of the next 19 points to pull away as Salem State struggled on the attack, producing just seven kills in 39 chances.   
  • The Owls led from start to finish in set three. Back-to-back aces by Julia Dangel-Garcia gave the Owls a 12-7 advantage. Consecutive kills by Sarah Bingham and Nihill pushed the lead to 18-11 before Nihill cemented the win with her eighth kill of the match.
  • Westfield State raced out to a 12-6 lead in set four, taking advantage several attack errors by Salem State. The lead grew to 21-11 following an ace by Sydney Cunmmins as the Owls went on to win the set, 25-12.  

Inside the Numbers:

  • Nihil topped Westfield State with 10 kills. Cummins had nine kills and a match-high 16 digs.
  • Morgan Dority chipped in with 14 assists while Bingham and Allie Hill had four aces apiece.     
  • Shairs had a season-high five blocks to go with nine kills for Salem State.
  • Philips produced a team-high 11 digs and three service aces for the Vikings. 
  • Eva Haralabatos and Celia Carbone each had eight assists in the setback.    

Up Next:

Salem State will host Emmanuel on Saturday, October 19 at 11:00 am.