Northern-Vermont Johnson Tops Salem State in Three Sets

SALEM, Mass. -- Northern Vermont-Johnson swept Salem State 26-24, 25-21 and 25-17 on Tuesday evening at Twohig Gymnasium in a non-conferenece match-up. The Badgers even their record (10-10) with the win while the Vikings close out their home slate with a 6-14 record. Salem State recognized senior Charlotte Orth (Bourne, Mass.) before the match, who was playing in her final regular season home game.

The two teams battled thru an evenly played first set. Trailing 23-19, Northern Vermont-Johnson rallied, scoring four straight points, which included back-to-back aces by Alana Lewis, to take a 24-23 lead. A service error by the Badgers gave a point to Salem State, but an error and ace by Mason Lores gave the set to Northern Vermont-Johnson. The two teams played another close game in set two. The Vikings trailed after the Badgers jumped out to an 8-2 lead. However, the Vikings cut the deficit to 17-14 before Northern Vermont-Johnson pulled away as kills by Christina Betham and Max Ludlow spearheaded the win. 

The Badgers again jumped out to a quick lead in the the third set. A kill by Ludlow gave Northern Vermont-Johnson a 9-5 lead. The margin grew to 16-9 following back-to-back aces by Ludlow. A kill by Betham started a run of four straight points by the Badgers as Northern Vermont-Johnson closed out the set and match.

Betham finished with 11 kills and 15 digs for the Badgers. Max Ludlow had 13 digs and six kills and six aces. Lores compiled a match-best 22 assists with six digs. 

Presley Shairs and Abigail O'Connor combined for 16 kills and six digs. Kailey Roche added 17 digs while Orth added seven kills and 10 digs. Eva Haralabatos provided seven digs, four aces and 17 assists for the Vikings.