NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The Marymount University women's volleyball team hit the road on Friday evening to close out the regular season a the two-day Christopher Newport University Invitational. The Saints battled Virginia Wesleyan University and Salisbury University but were unable to topple the pair of stiff opponents.

Match One

The Saints opened the day against Virginia Wesleyan, which checked into the NCAA Division III Regional Rankings at No. 10 this week. 

Marymount's offense kept pace with the Marlins throughout the match, as MU totaled 32 kills compared to 34 from VWU. Virginia Wesleyan's prowess at the service line and at the net loomed large, however. The Marlins tallied 13 aces and 16 blocks, which kept Marymount from building consistent momentum throughout the tilt.

MU's offense was once again carried by the two-pronged attack of Elissa Munsterman and Kaitlyn Doyle. The juniors combined for 17 kills, as Munsterman totaled nine, while Doyle finished with eight. Munsterman added 17 digs and an ace to round out her stat line.

Sydney Sands finished with a match-high 19 assists and eight digs. Sarah Pham paced MU's defense with a match-high-tying 17 digs. Sophomore Myia Jeter posted a season-high three solo blocks at the net.

Match Two

Marymount battled a familiar foe in the second match of the day in Salisbury. In the third meeting of the season between the former conference rivals, the Sea Gulls managed to get the better of the Saints.

After Salisbury took the first set, Marymount battled back and took the second frame, 25-20. MU floored a match-best 12 kills during the stanza and out-hit the Seagulls, .296 to .143.

The Saints took the lead early in the set and opened a 14-8 advantage after a kill from Munsterman. MU used a 4-0 run a few points later to grow its lead to 18-10. Marymount never relinquished its lead as Munsterman gave the Saints' a set point chance with a kill, and a miscue from the Sea Gulls closed it out.

MU was unable to capitalize on its win, as the Sea Gulls hit at a blistering .480 clip to run away with the third set. The fourth and final set saw the two sides trade blows, as MU recovered and hit .300 as a team. Salisbury's offense stayed just as hot, however, and totaled 20 kills to keep pace. While MU built a 20-16 lead, the Sea Gulls battled back and took the frame, 25-23.

Doyle led the Saints' offense with 14 kills en route to a double-double with 13 digs.  Sophie Meredith floored nine kills and hit at a tidy .318 clip. Munsterman chipped in eight kills and seven digs. Sands tallied a match-high-tying 32 assists, while Pham finished with double-digit digs for the fourth consecutive match with 13.

Marymount closes out the regular season on Saturday afternoon against Christopher Newport University at 12:00 p.m.