RALEIGH, N.C. -- In Thursday night's USA South volleyball pairing versus the visiting Salem Spirits, Meredith College overcame a six-point deficit to protect a 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-18) finish, their fifth consecutive. Lauren Grodi finished with 16 assists for MCVB.

Throughout the first frame the Avenging Angels appeared to have control of the match, but the second 25 points did not come easy. Seven unforced errors left MCVB battling from behind until a pair of kills from Hailey Long helped shift the momentum back to Meredith during a 5-0 rally midway through the second stanza. Whitney Bolton and Caroline Corey evened the score at 18, and Cathy Delano landed a service ace to finally push the Angels in front. Salem called for a timeout, but another Delano ace two points later, followed by a kill from Kenzie Moore, left Meredith in control through the end.

With three service aces from Grodi in the opening plays of the third frame, MCVB jumped off to a 5-0 advantage and pushed that lead to eight before the Spirits had a chance to respond. A series of missteps late in the frame opened the door for Salem until Moore finally finished the match from the middle.

Bolton, Corey, and Long led Meredith with six kills apiece with Ally Copenhaver, Delano, and Moore recording five each. Avery Bowman paired with Grodi for eight assists, and the defensive efforts were shared by the team with Corey topping MCVB with nine digs. Lauren Phillips and Bowman tallied eight apiece.

Salem's Hannah Delcamp dished out 23 assists for the Spirits with Brooklyn Snow and Kathryn O'Connell combining for 17 kills.

The Avenging Angels enjoy a short break during the remainder of the college's fall recess before kicking off the second half of the USA South schedule Wednesday night at Averett.