NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The 2011 version of the Lindsay Birch-led volleyball Captains will take the court for the first time on Thursday night, playing host to Hollins University at 7pm. CNU has won 31 straight contests in the Freeman Center and will also be looking for their third straight season-opening victory.

The Captains have been ranked fourth in the AVCA Pre-Season National Rankings, and were also picked to win the USA South in 2011. Leading the way will be All-American returners Jessie Heavenrich and Abby Hogge. Heavenrich, a senior setter, was the conference player of the year in 2010 and ranks third on the program's career assists list, with over 2700. Hogge is a defensive specialist that already ranks seventh on the career digs list after just two years in a Captains uniform.

CNU reached the NCAA Championship round for the second straight year in 2010, posting a program-record 38-3 overall record before suffering an Elite Eight loss to Emory. The Captains have averaged over 35 wins over the last three years.

Hollins was selected ninth in the pre-season Old Dominion Athletic Conference coaches poll after posting a 12-14 record in 2010. The team had just one senior from last years squad and returns a strong core from the upstart 2010 squad. 

The match will begin at 7:00 pm. Live stats are available here.