Salem spikers go 5-0 to win
Saturday's Madonna Invitational

  Last week started out fantastic for Salem's volleyball team and finished even better.

  Four days after defeating cross-campus rival Plymouth, the Rocks won Saturday's Madonna Invitational by registering a 5-0 record.

  Salem defeated Walled Lake Northern, 25-21 and 25-23 in the championship match.

  "We started a little slow, but as the day went on we got better and really stepped it up," said Salem coach Amanda Suder. "I am very proud of how my girls performed. They worked extremely hard to stay consistent and positive throughout the day."

  In pool play, Salem defeated Dearborn Heights Annapolis (25-15, 25-15 and 25-13), Walled Lake Western (25-19, 25-18 and 25-18) and Chelsea (26-24, 25-12 and 25-13).

  The pool-play sweep earned Salem a bye into the semifinals where it upended Milford, 25-13 and 25-18.

  Several Rocks turned in brilliant performances, including Nicole Merget, who racked up 77 kills, 46 digs and 18 blocks; and Lauren Aschermann, who registered 52 digs and a team-high nine aces.

  "Lauren had her best performance defensively this season," said Suder.

  Also shining for the Rocks were Lauren Dworzanin (57 digs and 25 kills), Kerry MacDonald (123 assists, 48 digs and six aces), Kerstin Johnson (25 kills, 39 digs and eight aces) and Jillian Sommerville, who recorded 31 kills.

Ed Wright can be reached at info@plymouthcantonsports.com or (734) 453-1980.