SALISBURY, Md. - The Salisbury University volleyball team dropped its first Capital Athletic Conference match of the season to rival Gallaudet University, 3-2, on Thursday evening at the Maggs Center before a crowd of 683. The loss puts SU in a three-way tie for first place in the CAC with Gallaudet and St. Mary's (Md.) College as the teams head into the final week of the regular season.

SU (23-9, 6-1 CAC) found itself in a 2-2 tie after leading 2-1 when the Bison (20-9, 6-1 CAC) stampeded past the Sea Gulls in the final two sets.

In the fifth and final set SU trailed 5-10 but rallied with the help of the raucous Sea Gull crowd. The Sea Gulls scored four straight to get to within two points, 9-11, but could not hold on. Gallaudet clinched the set and match on a Bison service ace that froze the Gulls as it struck the end line. This is the fifth time the Sea Gulls have dropped a match deciding fifth set in six opportunities this season.

Salisbury jumped out in the first set as the maroon and gold won a long volley, with great diving saves and spikes, which led to a 13-11 lead and forced Gallaudet to call timeout. From there SU took over and increased the lead to 29-23. Within a point of winning the set the Gulls allowed the Bison to storm back and knot the game at 29. The marathon set continued until the 36th point earned by Gallaudet to win, 36-34.

The maroon and gold bounced back in the second set with a 30-22 victory. The set featured runs from both teams. SU went up 16-11 and then Gallaudet went on a 6-2 run. SU finished the set on a 12-5 run to tie the match at one game apiece.

Gallaudet turned the tables on Salisbury in the third set as the Bison controlled the set up as much as seven, 24-17. SU scored eight of the final 10 points to take the set and a 2-1 match advantage.

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(the above compiled from SU Sports Information)

At the conclusion of the nearly three-hour match, the Bison achievers were sophomore Amanda Krieger, who recorded 23 kills and 14 digs. Veteran Ludmila Mounty-Weinstock had 16 kills while freshman Nukeitra Hayes fired 13. Senior setter Krystle Berrigan targeted 47 assists with libero Shana Lehmann posting 23 digs. Sophomore Micaela Paulone had 12 assists and 20 digs. Amy Siebert, also a sophomore, posted 14 digs.

The win over Salisbury cements another milestone in Coach Lynn Ray Boren's career; it marks his third consecutive 20-win season as a collegiate coach. 

The Buff and Blue take on Gettysburg College to kick off Homecoming Weekend at the Field House. The first serve goes at 7:00 p.m.