ST. MARY'S, Md. -- Virginia Wesleyan College's victory over Salisbury University in the first match of the Seahawk Invitational was a milestone and historic.

The Marlins' 3-1 win over the Sea Gulls was historic in that fact that it marked Virginia Wesleyan's second win of the season over the three-time defending Capital Athletic Conference champions ... a first in the young eight-year history of the VWC volleyball program.  The milestone was a 100th career victory for VWC fifth-year head coach Andrea Hoover.

But, the winning did not stop with that first match.  The Marlins went on to defeat Division II Davis & Elkins College 3-1, knocked off host St. Mary's College 3-2, and capped  4-0 tournament showing with a 3-0 win over Division II's University of District of Columbia.  VWC has now won six consecutive matches and improves the Marlins' record to 21-9 as they prepare for Old Dominion Athletic Conference tournament competition which begins Friday, Nov. 5, against Guilford College at Hollins University in Lynchburg.

VWC came on strong in all four matches, rallying from deficits in the first three.  The Marlins opened against Salisbury with a 26-24 win, only to see the Gulls respond for a 25-17 decision in the second set.  Competition was intense through the next two sets, but Virginia Wesleyan posted thrilling 25-20 and 25-21 decisions for the overall win.

West Virginia's Davis & Elkins Senators posted a 26-24 win in its first set with the Marlins and rode the momentum through a tight second set.  VWC pulled out a 25-21 victory and followed with a dominating 25-11 third set.  The Marlins wrapped it up with a 25-23 thriller.

Virginia Wesleyan played another "rematch" when it met St. Mary's for the second time this season.  The Marlins knocked off the Seahawks a second time, but needed five sets to get it done.  St. Mary's (22-8) posted 25-19 and 25-23 wins in the first two sets before VWC settled and stopped the 'Hawks 25-20 in the third.  Momentum remained with the Marlins, who won the fourth set 25-22 and then capped the big win with a 15-10 decision.

VWC put the finishing touches on the tournament against the Firebirds of the University of District of Columbia, which entered the match with a 19-8 record.  But, the Marlins posted a 25-19 first set win and proceeded to take the match with 27-25 and 25-18 victories.

Strong play throughout the line-up propelled VWC to the big weekend, led by senior Lindsey Spears (Virginia Beach/Ocean Lakes) and sophomores Kala Guy (Fishersville, Va./Wilson Memorial) and Taylor Allen (Bowie, Md./Bladensburg Elizabeth Seton)at the net.  Guy, who recorded 18 kills against Davis & Elkins and St. Mary's, finished with a team-leading 59 kills overall, increasing her season total to 322, the fourth highest mark in VWC history.  Spears came through with 54, including 16 against Davis & Elkins, and Allen added 33.

Allen, who produced a .362 attack percentage in the four matches, continued her standout blocking efforts with four solos and eight assists.  She now leads the Marlins with 18 solos and 62 block assists, the latter tying the third highest season total in VWC history.  Allen was key in the win over Salisbury, producing a .647 attack percentage, the ninth best in program history.

Rookie Alex Kirk (Concord, N.C./Robinson) also produced eight block assists for the Marlins, along with a pair of solo blocks.  She also had 21 kills and just one error en route to a .370 attach percentage.  Rookie Tempe Martens (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park) added 26 kills.

Senior Marissa Wood (Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge) and junior Erin Paton (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch) extended their steady play, as Wood produced 171 set assists and Paton produced 64 digs, including 24 against St. Mary's.  Wood now has 873 assists for the season and Paton leads the Marlins with 418 digs, the sixth highest total in VWC history. 

VWC's current 21-9 record marks the third consecutive 20+ win season for the program ... another first for the Marlins.

--AMDG--