WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Sept. 19, 2026) — Pfeiffer University opened Saturday with a strong first-set performance but ultimately dropped a pair of matches, falling to Salem 3-1 in USA South action before suffering a 3-0 nonconference setback against Carolina University.
In the day's opening match, Pfeiffer claimed the first set 25-21 before Salem rallied for the next three sets, 25-9, 25-19 and 25-12, to earn the conference victory.
Jada Thomas led the Falcons with 11 kills and a .333 hitting percentage while adding two block assists.
Leigan Lusk was highly efficient with nine kills on 16 attempts without an error for a .563 hitting percentage and two total blocks. Setter
Karmen Rion distributed 20 assists and recorded 12 digs for Pfeiffer.
Pfeiffer hit .395 in the opening set and used an early 6-1 run to take control. The Falcons extended the lead to 22-16 before holding off a late Salem rally to secure the set.
Salem responded with dominant second and fourth sets while posting a .229 team hitting percentage for the match. Ellie Scherer paced the Spirits with 18 kills, while Tenley McDonald added 11 kills and Leah
Rymer contributed a double-double with seven kills and 17 assists.
Later in the afternoon, Pfeiffer was swept by Carolina University 25-15, 25-21, 25-17 in a neutral-site contest.
The Falcons were led by
Anasty Faavesi, who produced a team-high 10 kills, while
Leigan Lusk added five kills and a .308 hitting percentage.
Karmen Rion finished with 11 assists and nine digs, and libero
Molly Wright recorded a team-best 10 digs.
Pfeiffer showed its best push in the second set, turning a 10-6 deficit into a 19-10 advantage behind strong play from Faavesi and
Emma Line. Carolina answered with a decisive 15-2 run to close the set and take a 2-0 match lead.
Carolina was paced by SarahElizabeth Samuels, who finished with 13 kills, while Melia Coleman added nine kills and hit .571. The Bruins totaled 43 kills and posted a .280 team attacking percentage.
