WASHINGTON, D.C. - The third-seed Gallaudet University volleyball team began its final Capital Athletic Conference tournament with an impressive 3-0 first round shutout against sixth-seed Marymount (Va.) University on Tuesday night in the Field House. Gallaudet advances to Thursday night's semifinal round where the Bison (23-13) will travel to Fredericksburg, Va., to face second-seed University of Mary Washington at 7 p.m. This is the last season for the Bison in the CAC as Gallaudet will leave to join the North Eastern Athletic Conference next season.

Gallaudet began the match with a close first set with Marymount (18-14), who the Bison defeated 3-2 back on September 24 at home. The Saints tied the set twice at 20-20 and 21-21 but senior outside hitter Amanda Krieger (Carmel, Ind.) closed out the set as she served for the final four points. The final two points came off Krieger service aces as GU took the first set 25-21.

The second set was played evenly until Krieger's turn came up in the serving rotation. Gallaudet led 15-14 but behind Krieger's serving and the hitting by senior outside hitter Justine Jeter (Noblesville, Ind.) the Bison rattled off seven consecutive points to take a 22-14 lead. Gallaudet closed out the set 25-18.

The third and final set saw Gallaudet scored 13 of the first 15 points. Marymount was forced to call its two timeouts in the first 12 points as the Bison scored points at will with senior libero Shana Lehmann (Frederick, Md.) serving. GU later built a 20-12 lead when freshman Krystal Johnson (North Richland Hills, Texas) entered and served Gallaudet to game point up 24-12. Marymount staved off elimination for two more points before junior Kierra Nelson served the ball long to end the game and the season for the Saints.

Fourth-seed York (Pa.) College won the other CAC first round match as the Spartans beat fifth-seed St. Mary's (Md.) College, 3-1, at home.

Jeter finished the game with 17 kills and 12 digs while Krieger had 10 kills, 11 digs and three service aces. Lehmann, the reigning CAC Player of the Week, made a team-high 22 digs to go with three assists and two service aces. Sophomore setter Paige Johnson (North Richland Hills, Texas) passed out 37 assists and made eight digs and two blocks.

Gallaudet lost 3-2 to Mary Washington back on October 1 at home. The Eagles have won three of the past nine matches after UMW posted a 7-1 record in conference. The winner of the semifinal match will advance to Saturday's championship game and face either top-seed Salisbury University or York (Pa.) at the site of the highest remaining seed.