SALISBURY, Md. - The Salisbury University volleyball team opened the 2008 Sea Gull Classic with two decisive wins Friday evening at the Maggs Center. The Sea Gulls took down the Marlins from Virginia Wesleyan College in four sets, 3-1, and defeated Swarthmore College in straight sets, 3-0. Salisbury (13-1) increased its winning streak to 13 consecutive matches.  

In game one of the classic, Salisbury defeated Virginia Wesleyan (6-4) by the score of 25-11, 25-17, 21-25, and 25-14. The offense got off to a quick start against Virginia Wesleyan as the Sea Gulls tried to close out the match quickly. SU got tripped up in the third set but returned to form and closed out the match with a fourth set rout.

Senior Jaime Marzocchi set the stage for the offense with 32 assists. Senior Stacey Krebs led the attack with nine kills while juniors Nicole Massarelli, Rachel Downes and sophomore Alexandria Malesick (three solo blocks) each contributed eight kills. Junior Gabby Long led the defensive effort with 24 digs and Downes added 14. Massarelli and Krebs were a brick wall on defense as they recorded five and four assisted blocks, respectively.

Salisbury next faced Swarthmore, who they defeated twice (3-0, 3-1) last weekend en route to the 6th Annual Garnet Classic title hosted by Swarthmore College. The Garnet were out for revenge on Friday but the Sea Gulls were just too much for the Garnet to handle. SU won in straight sets; 25-14, 25-12 and 25-21.

Coach Knight mixed it up throughout the match as every player made at least one set appearance. As a team the Sea Gulls recorded eight service aces. Massarelli led all hitters with 10 kills and added a solo block and four assisted blocks. Senior Sabrina Larmer and sophomore Lexy Fitzkee both turned in fine performances as well. Larmer had three kills, two assists and four assisted blocks. Fitzkee finished up with six kills (75% hitting percentage) and two assisted blocks. Marzocchi notched 22 assists and junior Stephanie Carey came off the bench and recorded seven assists in the win.   

In other classic action, Richard Stockton College won both of its matches. The Ospreys defeated Swarthmore, 3-0, by the score of 25-19, 25-21, and 25-14. Stockton also knocked off a pesky Virginia Wesleyan team 3-1 by the score of 25-18, 14-25, 25-14, and 25-21.

The maroon and gold head back to the court Saturday morning for day two of the classic. Salisbury will square off with Richard Stockton at 10 a.m. and again at Noon in the championship game as both teams are undefeated. Swarthmore and Virginia Wesleyan will also play twice, both at 10 a.m. and Noon.

Sea Gull Classic Day 1
Salisbury def. Va. Wesleyan, 3-1 (25-11, 25-17, 21-25, 25-14)
Salisbury def. Swarthmore, 3-0 (25-14, 25-12, 25-21)
Richard Stockton def. Swarthmore, 3-0 (25-19, 25-2, 25-14)
Richard Stockton def. Va. Wesleyan, 3-1 (25-18, 14-25, 25-14, 25-21)