NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- After a long offseason of anticipation, the Christopher Newport University Captains, ranked as high as fourth in the pre-season polls, will take the hardwood in the Freeman Center Thursday night to open the 2010-11 season. CNU will open against Division II Virginia Union University (0-2) at 7:00 pm.

The Captains are coming off a program-best season, where the team went 30-1, culminating in an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance and a 30-game win streak. Three-time All-American Chelsie Schweers starts the year with 1,999 points just one shy of becoming the second Captain all-time to reach 2,000, and just 75 points behind the Captains all-time leader, Karen Barefoot.

CNU is returning all five starters from a year ago and have been nationally recognized to begin the year. D3Hoops.com lists CNU as the fourth best team in the nation to start the year, while the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Preseason Poll lists CNU as the number six team in the nation.

Schweers will be joined by a tremendous supporting cast to supplement her production. Fellow seniors Jessica Moore (12 points and 7 rebounds per game last year) and Barbara Davis (8 points and 7 rebounds per game last season) give the Captains a strong inside game.

Also returning is junior Kimmy Hopkins (10 points and 4 rebounds per game last season), who was a USA South Freshman of the Year two seasons ago. Hopkins leads a deep junior class that also includes returners Lauren Gural, Jen Falin and Jerlisa Bowser, who all saw significant playing time last season.

Virginia Union has opened the year with a pair of losses to Glenville State and West Virginia State. The Panthers are led early this season by Valentina Wheeler (12.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and Kara Scott (10.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg).

DOLLAR DOG NIGHT: The season opener will be Dollar Dog Night at the Concession Stand, as fans will be offered hot dogs for just a buck.

SEASON OPENERS: CNU has 16 season-opening victories in its 37-year history. The Captains are also 19-17 in home openers, including a 7-3 mark in the Freeman Center.

MILESTONE WATCH: Chelsie Schweers is just one point shy of 2,000 for her career. Jessica Moore is 14 points back of 1,000. The program has record 586 victories since its inception, just 14 shy of the 600-win plateau.

TICKETS: Admission is $8 for chairback seating, $4 for general admission. Please call 757.594.7880 with any questions concerning tickets.