Spartans host Titans tonight in rematch of state semifinal
The Salem High volleyball team will host Hidden Valley tonight in a rematch of the 2008 state semifinal.
Salem’s team, however, is very much different from the squad that made a run to last year’s final four.
Gone are coach David Turk and five of the six girls from last year’s starting lineup. New coach Kim Martinez is in charge of a rebuilding project that has seen the Spartans get off to a 5-7 start.
Alex Paxton goes up for a spike for the Spartans. -Photo by Brian Hoffman
“The girls are striving to create a more consistent serve receive so we can utilize our hitters and become an offensive threat,” said Martinez after Salem opened the River Ridge District season with losses to Cave Spring and Blacksburg last week.
At Blacksburg last Thursday the Bruins beat Salem 25-16, 25-18, 21-25, and 25-19. Emily Richardson had 14 kills and 11 digs while Katie Helvey had four aces, 25 assists, and 12 digs.
Martinez is playing a young group and the feeder teams have been successful. Through Monday the jayvees were 9-3 and the middle school team is 8-3. Lewis has a game at Northside today.
“The middle school coaches are instilling fundamental game knowledge and doing a great job,” said Martinez.
