SALISBURY, Md. - The Salisbury University volleyball team broke the school record for the best start in team history as the Sea Gulls defeated Susquehanna University in straight sets, 3-0, in the first match of the SU Invitational on Friday at the Maggs Center. Salisbury added to its record start with a 3-0 victory over Gettysburg College in the nightcap.

The Sea Gulls (18-1) have won 18 matches in a row, also a school best. Salisbury has posted six consecutive shutouts and has won 19 straight sets. Salisbury's previous best start to a volleyball season came during the first year of the program in 1972 when the Sea Gulls won the first 16 matches of the season.

Salisbury battled with a stingy Susquehanna (14-6) team in all three sets but the Sea Gulls were able to come up with some timely kills along with a great defensive effort to earn the 25-18, 25-19, 25-18 win. 

Junior Gabby Long turned in an impressive performance as she anchored the middle of the court in all three sets. She dove numerous times to keep the play alive which allowed the outside hitters additional opportunities to record kills. For the match, Long recorded a team-high 20 digs as well five service aces.

Senior setter Jaime Marzocchi set up outside and middle hitters all match with excellent sets as she recorded 36 assists. Senior Stacey Krebs led the offense with 11 kills and eight digs. Senior Stephanie Withers (three digs) and junior Rachel Downes (eight digs) each contributed eight kills in the victory.

Salisbury ran into a very tough Gettysburg team in the second match of the night. The Bullets, lost a tough 3-0 match to SUNY New Paltz in the first match, but was ready to give SU all it could handle. Each set came down to the wire but the Sea Gulls were able to fend off late surges by the Bullets in the second and third sets to earn the 25-21, 25-23, 25-23 win. All five matches on Friday were won in straight sets.

Krebs had a monster game for the Sea Gulls, both offensively and defensively, and dealt the knock out kill in the third set to preserve the straight set victory. She recorded a double-double with 11 kills and 19 digs plus three solo blocks. Long provided anther defensive gem with 23 digs and Marzocchi notched 33 assists. Junior Nicole Massarelli recorded 10 kills, Downes added eight kills and Withers contributed seven kills.

The SU Invitational continues tomorrow with five more matches with the first match slated to begin at 10 a.m. The Sea Gulls will take the court at Noon against Catholic University of America followed by a match against SUNY New Paltz slated to begin at 2 p.m.

Salisbury Invitational Day 1
Salisbury def. Susquehanna, 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-18)
Salisbury def. Gettysburg, 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-23)
Susquehanna def. Catholic, 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-19)
SUNY New Paltz def. Gettysburg, 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-23)
SUNY New Paltz def. Catholic, 3-0 (25-11, 25-17, 25-21)