Box Score in PDF Format

NEWPORT NEWS, VA -- The Christopher Newport University volleyball team defeated Averett University in 3 sets to win their fifth straight USA South Championship.  The Captains earned the three-set victory by scores of 25-14, 25-13 and 25-17.

CNU was paced by Cory Harris who completed the match with 12 kills and a .391 hitting percentage.  USA South Rookie of the Year, Jessie Kolden added 11 kills to go with 10 digs.  The Captains hit .360 as a team and only had eight attack errors in 100 attempts.

CNU worked quickly in the first set hitting .353 and earning an early lead over the Cougars.  The Captains hit their stride in the second set when they raced out to a lead and only made one attack error in the set that gave them a 2-0 advantage in the match.

Averett kept pace in the third set trading points with CNU and forcing the Captains into five of their eight attack errors, before CNU pulled away late in the set.  The Cougars received strong performances from Libero, Paige Aaron, who contributed a championship high 11 digs and was also named to the all-Tournament team.  Alison Sparks and Brooke Hensley paced the Cougars with six kills apiece.

The victory secured CNU's fifth straight USA South Championship and the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.  The NCAA will stream a live selection show at 11:00 a.m. Monday morning at the link below.  The Captains will learn their tournament destination and first round opponent during the selection show.

NCAA Selection Shows

2011 USA South All-Tournament Team

Paige Aaron (Averett)
Christie Fellows (Christopher Newport)
Bailey Jensen (Christopher Newport)
Jessie Kolden (Christopher Newport)
Haley Smith (Shenandoah)
Allison Sparks (Averett)

Tournament MVP - Jessie Heavenrich (Christopher Newport)