WVWV volleyball defeats Salem for first victory of 2022

Sports Release
September 8, 2022

SALEM, W.Va. — The West Virginia Wesleyan volleyball team (1-4) earned their first victory of the 2022 season by defeating Salem (0-11) on Tuesday (Sept. 6) night at T. Edward Davis Gymnasium in Salem, W.Va.

WVWC Leaders

Hope Arce-Reed recorded a career-high 16 kills. Freshman Mya Bajramovic eclipsed the double-digit kill mark for second time this season and added 13 kills. Alexis Moeschler and Bajramovic both smashed five aces. Senior Payton Hefner led the Bobcats with 29 assists while Sarah McCall added 14. Junior Autumn Molenhouse stayed consistent on the defensive end with 23 digs. Hefner hauled in 15 digs. Riley France tallied four blocks.

Inside Set One

Each team battled back and forth in a series of runs. The score was tied 7-7 when the Lady Bobcats fired three straight points to take a 10-7 advantage. Salem stormed back to tie the score at 16-16. Salem scored two consecutive points to take the lead, 22-20.

The home team was one point away from claiming the first set and held a three-point lead at 24-21. With their backs against the wall, the Lady Bobcats dug deep and roared back. With Bajramovic serving, Wesleyan scored the final five points of the set to win the opening act, 26-24. Senior Joelle Lalla connected on the last kill of the set to give WVWC a crucial set one victory.

Inside Set Two

Both teams split the first 20 points of the second set. A Lalla kill and a Hefner service ace propelled Wesleyan to a 12-10 lead. After Salem won the next decision, three freshman stepped up and ignited a three-point scoring run for the Lady ‘Cats. A Bajramovic kill put Wesleyan ahead 13-11. Malaysia Ampy- Jackson followed with a kill, and Moeschler connected on her first service ace of the night to give Wesleyan a 15-11 cushion. Lisdarelyn Grassals struck a kill that extended the WVWC lead, 18-14. Salem won four straight points and tied the set at 18. The Bobcats caught fire and won eight of the final nine points.

Inside Set Three

Set three totaled nine tie scores. Salem held a 13-8 lead midway through the third set. Moeschler delivered her second service ace of the evening to even the score 14-14. The two teams traded the ensuing ten decisions, and the score remained tied 19-19. Salem held a 24-22 lead before WVWC scored two straight points to tie the score, 24-24. The Tigers scored the final two points of set three to win, 26-24.

Inside Set Four

WVWC regrouped and bounced back in the beginning of the fourth set. The ‘Cats jumped out to an early 10-4 lead. Wesleyan would take their largest lead of the set following a service ace from Bajramovic at 22-9. Salem cut the deficit to six, 24-18. Lalla put down the final kill of the match and cemented a four-set win for WVWC.

Up Next

WVWC will travel to Erie, Pa. on Friday (Sept 9.) to take on Mercyhurst at 3 p.m., and Gannon at 7 p.m. The Lady Bobcats continue their road trip in Pennsylvania on Saturday (Sept 10.) with a duel versus East Stroudsburg at 1 p.m., before concluding the weekend with a match against Edinboro on Saturday evening.