Vikings Tame Falcons

SALEM, Mass. -- Salem State picked up their fifth win of the season (5-12) as the Vikings defeated Albertus Magnus (25-12, 19-25, 25-20 and 25-19) on Monday evening at Twohig Gymnasium. The Vikings beat the Falcons (6-18) for the second time this year. 

Ella Speidel led the Salem State's attack with 11 kills while Eva Haralabatos tallied a match-high 34 assists with four aces while contributing 12 digs. Kailey Roche tallied 21 digs and Abigail O'Connor chipped in with 10 kills and three digs. Gracie Dailey played well all-around for Salem State, finishing with eight kills, six aces and 11 digs.  

Peyton Davis had 12 kills and seven digs for Albertus Magnus and Colleen Edwards 10 kills. Rachael Pellegrini dished out 21 assists with six digs and Amanda Zdru led the defensive effort with 24 digs.  

Salem State broke open a close match in set one, turning a 10-8 lead into a comfortable 21-11 margin. Two aces each by Dailey and Eisnor and a pair of kills by Presley Shairs set the Vikings up for the win. The Falcons came back in set two, hitting .303 to just .116 for Salem State. Albertus Magnus took advantage of eight errors by the Vikings, as the Falcons racked up 11 kills in the set.

Salem State came back to take a close decision in set three, holding just a two-point lead (18-16) before pulling away late as Gracie Dailey cemented the win with a kill. The Vikings jumped out to a 4-0 lead in set four and never looked back. Despite drawing to within 19-18, Albertus Magnus never led in the set. Salem State scored five of the final six points to close out the set and match.