Salem
Volleyball
As a middle blocker on the Salem High volleyball team, Jenna Phelps is always in the middle of the action. Last week, she showed just how valuable her presence on the Witches is, helping them to prevail in all three of their matches.
The 6-foot junior captain played starring roles as Salem won all three of its matches. It started with a 3-0 sweep of Salem Academy as Phelps had five kills to go along with 11 aces — the fifth-most in one match in program history.
The very next night, Phelps had a team-best 10 kills as the Witches took care of Saugus, 3-1. Two nights later, she rounded out a perfect week for her squad, again leading the way in kills (9) while adding four aces in a 3-0 sweep over Lynn English on the team’s annual Mental Health Awareness Night.
Phelps — who is also an outstanding student and carries a 4.65 grade point average, with a goal of studying biology in college — has more than one-third of her team’s kills on the season, leading Salem with 76 total. Her hitting percentage of .413, her serving aces (41) and her total blocks (11) also pace the Witches, as do her kills per set (2.7) and aces per set (1.5).
With the program’s first-ever victory over Peabody this past Monday night, the Witches improved to 6-2 this season. They’ve won five straight matches going into tonight’s clash in Winthrop.
A member of the Avidity Volleyball Club 17’s National Team, Phelps also plays flute in the Salem High Marching Band, serves as Grounds Manager for Morgan’s Message Club (Salem Chapter), is a member of the Harvard Model UN Club (HMUN), and also plays varsity lacrosse for the Witches.
“Jenna embodies integrity as a student, leader, and athlete,” said her SHS volleyball coach, Angie Giancola. “Coaches and advisors can always trust Jenna’s word and work ethic. She is universally beloved by teammates for her kindness, inclusivity, and willingness to do whatever it takes to support her team. She leads by example, fostering an environment that blends excellence with joy as we seek to achieve our goals.
“I couldn’t be more proud of who she is and how she leads.”