SALISBURY, Md. - The Salisbury University volleyball team captured its third straight and sixth overall Capital Athletic Conference championship on Saturday night in front of 215 at the Maggs Physical Activities Center with a 3-0 win over Gallaudet University. With the 25-16, 25-16, 25-19 victory the Sea Gulls claim the conference's automatic berth for the upcoming NCAA tournament. A live selection show will take place this Monday, at 11 a.m. on NCAA.com.

 "We only have eight returning players from last year's team," said SU head coach Margie Knight. "This is a really different core of kids and to be able to win that championship again says a lot for older players' leadership and a lot about our freshmen and transfers buying into what we do."

The Sea Gulls (30-4) closed out the match with a kill by senior middle hitter Nicole Massarelli (Clarksville, Md.) in front of a raucous crowd on hand at the Maggs Center. The Gulls were led by junior outside hitter Lexy Fitzkee (Fallston, Md.) who finished the match with 10 kills, a .474 hitting percentage, four digs and five service aces. Senior outside hitter Rachel Downes (Salisbury, Md.) also struck down 10 kills for SU, had five digs and one service ace.

Sophomore setter Lindsey Saltzman (Penfield, N.Y.) dished out 15 assists and collected four digs and three kills of her own. Junior outside hitter Melissa Stansbury (Eldersburg, Md.) collected five service aces and 11 digs for the Gulls. Senior libero Gabby Long (Bel Air, Md.) had a team-high 19 digs and one kill.

With the victory the Sea Gulls have hit the 30-win mark for the second consecutive season and fourth time in program history. SU has now won 26 consecutive matches against CAC opponents, dating back to CAC regular season loss at the hands of the Bison (24-14) on Oct. 18, 2007.

To find out where the Sea Gulls will begin their NCAA tournament run, check out Monday's live selection at 11 a.m. on NCAA.com.

NCAA Selection Show Link