NEWPORT NEWS, VA - With the team match on the line, freshmen Erin Spinks and Kim Morrissett won three-set matches to propel Christopher Newport to one of its best victories of the season, a 5-4 win over North Carolina Wesleyan.

On a beautiful Thursday afternoon pitting two young, vastly improved squads from a year ago, CNU (13-1, 4-1 USA South) nearly swept three doubles matches but settled for a 2-1 lead entering singles.

Marion Gloor and Morgan Huff won 8-2 at No. 1, and Morrissett and Melisande Downs cruised to an 8-1 triumph at No. 3.

Spinks and Lauren Kelly went ahead 6-3 in the middle doubles pro-set, but the Bishops' Kristin Seidel and Samia Kacher rallied for an 8-6 victory that cut the Captains' edge to 2-1.

Straight-sets victories by CNU's Dani Cribb at 6 and by NCWC's Emelie Lundgren at 1 and Kacher at 2 left the team match tied at 3.

Bristy Parker overcame Kelly 1-6, 7-5, 6-0 at 5 to give N.C. Wesleyan a 4-3 advantage, but Spinks gained a 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-2 victory at the 4 spot to tie the score at 4 and put the match in Morrissett's hands.

She didn't disappoint, rallying from a 2-0 deficit in the third set to patiently defeat Seidel 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

NCWC, whose top four are from Sweden, France, Germany and Cameroon, fell to 4-2, 3-2.

CNU next hits the road to face conference rival Averett at 3 p.m. Friday in Danville.

CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT 5, N.C. WESLEYAN 4
Doubles
1. Marion Gloor-Morgan Huff (CNU) d. Emelie Lundgren-Caroline Ateba 8-2.
2. Kristin Seidel-Samia Kacher (NCWC) d. Lauren Kelly-Erin Spinks 8-6.
3. Kim Morrissett-Melisande Downs (CNU) d. Bristy Parker-Tija Riley 8-1.

Singles
1. Lundgren (NCWC) d. Huff 6-2, 6-2.
2. Kacher (NCWC) d. Gloor 6-1, 6-3.
3. Morrissett (CNU) d. Seidel 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.
4. Spinks (CNU) d. Ateba 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-2.
5. Parker (NCWC) d. Kelly 1-6, 7-5, 6-0.
6. Dani Cribb (CNU) d. Riley 6-0, 6-1.

Records
NCWC 4-2, 3-2 USA South;
CNU 13-1, 4-1.