SALISBURY, Md. - The Salisbury University volleyball team stretched its best start in team history to 20-1 with two more wins on Saturday during the second day of the SU Invitational held at the Maggs Center. Salisbury won the invitational with a perfect 4-0 record. The Sea Gulls have won 20 straight matches.

Salisbury placed its winning streak on the line in the fourth and final match of the invitational against undefeated SUNY New Paltz (17-1). The Hawks breezed through their first three matches of the SU Invitational as they lost just one set. The Sea Gulls and Hawks entered the match losing just seven and three sets all season, respectively.

The Sea Gulls defeated the Hawks in straight sets, 25-16, 25-22, 25-20. SU jumped out to an early lead in the first set as the Hawks had some trouble with their passes and could not get clean sets to their outside hitters. The Hawks rebounded in the second set but Salisbury was able to come up with some timely kills to take a 2-0 set lead. The Gulls shut the door on the Hawks in the third set with an all-around team effort on both sides of the ball.   

The story of the match was Salisbury's ability to pass the ball. Junior Gabby Long (15 digs) led the way with zero reception errors in 22 attempts. As a team, the Sea Gulls were 52-of-53 on receptions. The excellent passes allowed senior setter Jaime Marzocchi (30 assists) to set up the outside and middle hitters all match. Junior Rachel Downes was the recipient of several sets from Marzocchi and was a force on the outside for the Gulls. She paced the offense in all three sets as she converted 12-of-28 kill attempts. She also recorded two service aces and 10 digs. SU Invitational MVP Stacey Krebs complemented Downes on the opposite side with 10 kills, two solo blocks, one assisted block and 13 digs. All-Tournament selection senior Stephanie Withers (three service aces) and junior Alexandria Malesick each contributed eight kills in the win.

With the win, Salisbury has now posted eight shutouts in a row and has won 25 straight sets. The Sea Gulls have lost just four sets during their current 20-match win streak.

In the first match of the afternoon, the Sea Gulls defeated Catholic University of America in straight sets, 25-8, 25-16, 25-10. SU coach Margie Knight worked in all 16 players on the roster in the win. Krebs recorded a match-high 14 kills on 25 attempts and Downes chipped in with eight. Marzocchi (21 assists) split time with junior Stephanie Carey who started the second set and notched 11 assists.

For the weekend, Krebs finished with 46 kills (.350 hitting percentage), 46 digs, a service ace and five solo blocks. Withers recorded 29 kills (.430 hitting percentage), eight digs, five service aces, two solo blocks and four assisted blocks.

The maroon and gold will look to continue their various streaks on the road against Capital Athletic Conference opponent Hood College on Wednesday, October 1, at 7 p.m.

All-Tournament Team
Kim Ray- Catholic University of America
Amanda Krampf- Gettysburg College
Lindsey Jankiewicz- Susquehanna University
Stephanie Bova- SUNY New Paltz
Brittany Coyle- SUNY New Paltz
Stephanie Withers- Salisbury University
Stacey Krebs- Salisbury University- MVP

Salisbury Invitational Day 2
Susquehanna def. Gettysburg 3-2 (25-22, 25-21, 21-25, 26-28, 16-14)
Salisbury def. Catholic 3-0 (25-9, 25-16, 25-10)
SUNY New Paltz def. Susquehanna 3-1 (25-23, 25-19, 17-25, 25-8)
Gettysburg def. Catholic 3-0 (25-23, 25-12, 25-8)
Salisbury def. SUNY New Paltz 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-20)

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)