GETTYSBURG, Pa. -- The Salisbury University volleyball team started the 2009 season off on the right note, earning a pair of wins during the opening day of the Battlefield Classic, played on the campus of Gettysburg College.

The Sea Gulls topped Neumann College in three games, 25-12, 25-17, 25-20, and took down Messiah in three, 25-14, 25-5, 25-18.

In the season-opening victory against Neumann, junior outside hitter Lexy Fitzkee (Fallston, Md.) led the way with 11 kills on 23 attempts. Nicole Massarelli (Clarksville, Md.) came up with eight kills and Rachel Downes (Salisbury, Md.) added seven kills and nine digs.

Freshman setter Carley Todd (Centerport, N.Y.) had 17 assists in the three games, while libero Gabby Long (Bel Air, Md.) added 18 digs.

Downes continued her strong day in the nightcap, going nearly perfect in the Messiah match with 11 kills on just 14 attempts. She also added three service aces and four digs.

Fitzkee had nine more kills in the evening session while Long was good for 14 digs. Todd had 17 assists and Massarrelli and Chelsea Glowacki (Poolesville, Md.) each added four assist blocks.

Salisbury will be back in action Saturday when it takes on host Gettysburg at 10 a.m. and Carnegie Mellon at noon. The Sea Gulls will spend the first two weeks of the 2009 season on the road before hosting the SU Invitational on Sept. 18 and 19.