NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Salisbury University volleyball team played in two matches on Friday afternoon in the first day of the Christopher Newport Invitational, starting off with a thrilling victory against Haverford College and ending with a loss against Virginia Wesleyan College. The Sea Gulls are one of six teams competing in the two-day tournament.

Salisbury's win in the match against Haverford came only after a five-set battle. The Sea Gulls (13-7, 3-2 Capital Athletic Conference) fell behind in the first set but won the next two to take a 2-1 lead; Haverford's 25-22 victory in the fourth set tallied up the match, but Salisbury nailed the tiebreaker with a 15-12 set win to earn the "W". Sophomore Kelly Vieira put up huge numbers for the Gulls, registering six kills and 22 digs to go with two solo blocks and three block assists. Senior Melissa Stansbury notched a team-high 28 digs.

Stansbury added to her totals in Salisbury's match against Virginia Wesleyan, putting up 18 digs. Sophomore Carley Todd notched five kills to go with her 11 kills and 13 digs against Haverford.

Salisbury continues play tomorrow in the second and final day of the CNU Invitational, beginning with a 1 p.m. match against 10th-ranked University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and ending with a 3 p.m. contest against host school Christopher Newport.

Salisbury's Day One Match Results

Salisbury def. Haverford: 25-27, 28-26, 25-23, 22-25, 15-12
Virginia Wesleyan def. Salisbury: 25-14, 25-18, 25-13