RallyNorth.net

SALEM — Salem's first-round Division 1 tournament game Thursday night was pretty much a microcosm of the entire season.

The Blue Devils, who were 9-0 to start the season but lost seven of their top 10, got out ahead of Bedford with a strong 25-21 effort in the first game but then gradually faded, bowing out to a young but talented Bedford team, 3-1.

Pinkerton crashed Salem's Homecoming party with a marathon 3-2 win: 20-25, 25-21, 22-25, 25-21, 15-13. Ella Dandrade led the 10-1 Astros with 16 kills and 33 digs and Ellie Cashman added 19 service points. For 8-3 Salem, Katya Rojco had 8 blocks.

After eight straight wins, the Salem volleyball team finally lost, 3-2 to Winnacunnet despite 21 kills from Lauren McCloskey and 38 assists from Kacie Blanchet.

The Salem volleyball team kept its season perfect with a 3-0 sweep of Alvirne. Lauren McCloskey led the way with 12 kills for the Blue Devils (7-0), who are at Timberlane on Saturday (noon).

Lauren McCloskey hit 500 kills and Kacie Blanchet reached 1,000 assists in Salem's sweep of Memorial. The Blue Devils are now 5-0.

The Salem volleyball team improved to a perfect 3-0 on the young season after taking down Concord, 3-1. Kacie Blanchette was the facilitator of the offense, dishing out 36 assists.