Salem Tops Albertus Magnus in Four-Set Battle, 3-1

THE BASICS 
Albertus Magnus, 1 vs. Salem State, 3 (25-20, 12-25, 25-21, 25-23)

Records: 
Albertus Magnus University Falcons (2-4)
Salem State University Vikings (2-3)

Location: Salem, Mass. - Twohig Gymnasium

Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2025

THE LEAD— In a matchup that felt as if it went back and forth, it was the Salem State women's volleyball team that came away with an exciting 3-1 victory over Albertus Magnus on Tuesday afternoon. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the opening moments of the first set, neither side would let the other pull ahead, as the largest lead early on would be three. After Albertus made it 12-10, Salem State would open things up thanks to an 8-0 run highlighted by four Gianna Mahoney (Revere, Mass.) aces before the Falcons called a timeout. 
• Coming out of the break, Albertus responded and cut the deficit to one (18-17) behind a 5-0 rally due to multiple Salem errors. Despite pulling within one, Salem closed out the first set on a 7-3 stretch for the 25-20 opening set victory. 
• During the second set, it was all Falcons as the hosts raced out to an 11-3 advantage before the Vikings called a timeout. Majo Pelaez led the Albertus offense early on with four kills. Coming out of the break, Albertus continued to keep Salem at a distance. Despite coming within seven (17-10) after a Presley Shairs (Salem, Mass.) kill, the Falcons concluded the second frame with an 8-2 run for a 25-12 set win. 
• Early in the third, Salem jumped out to a 9-4 lead thanks to aces from Sabina Kamanda (Dracut, Mass.) and Ariana Barrows (Danvers, Mass.), which caused Albertus to call a timeout. After both sides returned to action, the Vikings doubled up the Falcons, 12-6, but Albertus chipped away at the deficit and found themselves down three (12-9) thanks to multiple Vikings errors.
• Even though Albertus seemed to gain momentum, Salem once again pulled away courtesy of a 9-4 stretch that made it 21-13, which led to another Falcons timeout. Mahoney highlighted the offense with two more service aces, while Shairs also chipped in two more kills. After the break, the Falcons were able to cut the deficit to four points (23-19), but were denied as the set concluded, thanks to an error and a Barrows kill, which gave the squad a 25-21 set win.
• In the final set, Salem raced out to a 7-3 lead, but Albertus responded and recaptured the lead, 11-8, thanks to an 8-1 surge, which led to a Salem timeout.
• Coming out of the break, the Falcons continued to apply offensive pressure to the Vikings as the visitors would go up 17-13 after a Pelaez kill. However, Salem responded with an 8-5 rally to pull within one (22-21), which caused Albertus to take a timeout.
• After the timeout, Salem continued its momentum and outscored Albertus 4-3 the rest of the match and secured the set 4 victory, 25-23, thanks to an Albertus error. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Shairs led the offense with a season-high 16 kills on the day. Along with the senior, Kamanda and Bella Coccia (Westfield, Mass.) finished with five or more kills by having seven and six, respectively.
• Celia Carbone (Lynnfield, Mass.) guided the Salem offense with 17 assists on the day. Not far behind her was Ellie Hernsdorf (Granby, Conn.) with a career-high 14 helpers.
• Mahoney recorded a career-high seven service aces Tuesday evening.
• Majo Pelaez notched a team-high 15 kills for the Falcons.
• Salem State currently holds the overall series lead against Albertus, 3-0. 

UP NEXT

• Salem is back in action on Thursday, September 11 at 6:00 p.m. when the squad hosts Suffolk.