Vikings Edge Bears

Salem, Mass. --  Salem State earned a five-set (25-15, 19-25, 25-21, 24-26, 16-14) win over conference foe Bridgewater State in MASCAC action on Saturday afternoon at Twohig Gymanium. With the win, the Vikings improve their record to 6-7, 1-1, while the Bears slip to 2-6, 0-2.  

Abigail O'Connor (Gilford, N.H.) propelled Salem State to the victory, leading in both kills and points, scoring 21 each. Kailey Roche (Billerica, Mass.) led the defensive effort, with 26 digs, while Eva Haralabatos  (Melrose, Mass.) delivered 21 assists. Hailey Phillips (Haverhill, Mass.), topped the team with six service aces.  

Meaghan Coutu (Brookline, N.H.) led Bridgewater State with 17 kills and seven digs. Bethany Votta (Cumberland, R.I) had a match-high 40 assists to go with 16 digs and six aces. Lilly Misay (New Bedford, Mass.) contributed 25 digs with Lily Welch (Whitman, Mass.) compiling 13 kills, six digs and three blocks for the Bears.

Prior to the game, coach McNulty shared her thoughts on what it would mean for her team to pick up their sixth win of the season and match their previous year's record. "It would be terrific; we have been talking about that for a while now, and we had a couple of bumps in the road, but hopefully, we'll carry on and get that number six."  

Set 1

Salem State started on a high-note with Roche and O'Connor leading the scoring. The Vikings began the game on a 6-1 run, but Bridgewater State was able to close the gap, drawing to within 7-6. 

After the game O'Connor talked about the 6-1 run that the Vikings went on to start the game. "That was huge, I feel that we are a team that needs momentum, so the more momentum and the more big plays, the more runs we go on.

It was 10-7 in favor of the Vikings when Celia Carbone (Lynnfield, Mass.) set up Presley Shairs (Salem, Mass) to increase the Vikings' advantage to 11-7. Salem State was back in rhythm as O'Connor's kill made it 16-11 in favor of the Vikings. Carbone assisted Shairs for the finishing touches as the Vikings took a 1-0 set lead. Roche toppes the Vikings with six digs, while Haralabatos led the charge with five assists. 

Set 2 

Salem State looked to continue their dominance, but unfortunately, it was Bridgewater State who regrouped, going on a 7-2 run. Despite the Vikings being down early, they were able to come back as they remained resilient throughout the set. The Vikings were down five by a score of 14- 9, before drawing to within two, 21-19. However, four straight kills by Bridgewater State's offense, including a pair by Couto gave the set to the Bears.

Set 3 

The Vikings bounced back in the third set, and Haralabatos set up Shairs with a kill that made it 4-2 in favor of Salem State. After Shairs tied the game at six, Phillips's ace started a 7-0 run for the Vikings. Salem State went up 11-7 and the Vikings never looked back after taking a 16-8 lead. The Bears pulled to within two, but fortunately, the Vikings got the job done thanks to a kill by Shairs to secure a 25-21 victory. Shairs averaged 13 points through the first three sets, while Carbone had 15 assists throughout the game.  

Set 4 

Salem State was looking to close the deal in the fourth set, as the two teams battled back and forth. Bridgewater State built a 23-15 lead following a kill by Sarah Brogioli (Milford, Mass.). However, three aces by Roche, spurred a 6-0 run by Salem State, who battled back to tie the set at 24-all. However, back-to-back attack errors by the Vikings forced a fifth and deciding set. 

Set 5

Salem State took an 8-6 lead, but five straight points by the Bears, which included fours straight attack errors by the Vikings gave Bridgewater State an 11-8 lead. Leading 14-11, the Bears had multiple chances to end the match, but the Vikings rallied as two aces by Gracie Dalie put Salem State back on top 15-14 before a kill by O'Connor gave the set and match to Salem State.