NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Behind one of the most exciting, heart-pounding five-set thrillers in Freeman Center history, the fifth-ranked Christopher Newport volleyball team captured its fourth straight NCAA Regional crown as the Captains overcame a pair of deficits to upend No. 4 Emory, 3-2 (14-25, 26-24, 24-26, 25-11, 15-11), and advance to the NCAA Championships with a victory on Sunday afternoon.

During the title bout, Alyssa Kidd recorded a double-double with 52 assists and 13 digs to earn Most Outstanding Player honors. Bailey Jensen was just as dominant, blasting 17 kills while hitting .412. Abby Hogge also collected 22 digs as both seniors earned a spot on the All-Regional Team. In addition to the award-winners, Jessie Kolden and Christie Fellows each fired 14 kills, while Chastity Lacy chipped in with 10 to go along with seven blocks.

With the victory, the Captains extended their winning streak to 31 straight matches and bumped their record to 39-2. The squad will now compete in the NCAA Championships for the fourth straight season, opening up against UMass-Boston on November 15 in Holland, Michigan.

After Emory took a two-sets-to-one lead with a victory in the third frame, CNU showed the poise of a champion and battled back with stunning results. In the fourth set, Fellows posted a block and kill during the early going, while Brooke Moore's spectacular serves kept the Eagles off-balance on the way to a 7-2 lead. Although Emory whistled for a timeout to break up the momentum, Christopher Newport kept its run going as Kolden unloaded three kills and Lacy notched a pair of blocks as the squad secured a gigantic 18-6 edge.

Following Emory's second timeout, Fellows came through with two more bullets before a blast by Jensen gave the team a 22-11 lead. After an Eagle error, Kolden took over and sealed the frame. The sophomore standout blistered a rocket to earn set-point before following the same script with another kill to even the match with a 25-12 victory in the fourth.

With the momentum growing and the crowd elevating into a frenzied uproar, CNU stormed out to another imposing lead in the final frame. Harris and Jensen each uncorked a pair of kills in the early going before a laser by Lacy forced Emory to use a timeout staring at an 8-4 deficit. The stoppage did little to stunt the CNU surge as Lacy came out of the break with another blast before Kidd dropped in one of her patented tips to give the hosts a commanding 10-5 edge.

As the crowd grew to a deafening roar, following the lead of the Captain bench, Christopher Newport continued its streak. After the hosts capitalized on kills by Fellows and Jensen, the Eagles called for their final timeout with a 13-9 deficit. Once again, Kidd came out of the break and dropped in a perfectly-placed tear-drop to earn set-point. Two rallies later, the Captain setter dished a quick set to Jensen, who landed the final blow with a devastating blast, which sealed the championship and sent the CNU faithful into a full-out frenzy.

Harris, who added clutch blasts during the comeback, finished the contest with nine kills. She also teamed with Kara Elder to post a strong effort on serve-receive as the two seniors converted 60 of their 62 attempts. Elder also chipped in with 10 digs, while Moore had 15 to go along with two aces.

Similar to the Regional semifinals, CNU got off to a bit of a rough start in the championship. Although the Captains ran out to a 9-8 advantage, buoyed by back-to-back tracers by Lacy, Emory capitalized on a 5-1 streak to take the lead at 13-10. Later, an impressive nine-point run all but iced the set for the Eagles. Although Kolden fired two late kills, her effort was not enough as EU took the first, 25-14.

Refusing to back down, Christopher Newport responded emphatically in the second. Jensen came out with two quick kills before Lacy added back-to-back darts on the way to a 10-7 lead. Unfortunately, Emory shot back and evened the set at 16. Continuing to trade blows, the squads remained deadlocked until 19-19. Despite losing some of the momentum, Harris came back with two straight kills before Fellows added another one as the hosts took a 23-20 lead.

Looking squarely at an imposing deficit, Emory rallied. Bookended by a pair of kills by Cami Silverman, the visitors went on a four-point run to earn set-point at 24-23. Unfazed, CNU showed true resolve and regrouped in a timeout. Harris came out of the break with a bullet before two straight shots by Jensen and Kolden capped off the frame, 26-24.

Back on even ground, Christopher Newport hit another rough patch in the third. The Eagles won each of the first five rallies, and although Lacy notched a kill and two blocks, Emory remained on top, 13-10. Later, three kills and an ace by Jensen helped CNU pull back within one at 18-17, but EU stayed in control. Although a string of Eagle errors late in the set evened the score at 24, the visitors captured the final two rallies to pull out a 26-24 victory.

Staring at elimination, the Captains never backed down. Behind an unflinching attack and a gutsy defensive effort, CNU answered with a vengeance. With Hogge diving all over the court, Kidd dishing out gorgeous passes, and Jensen driving them home, Christopher Newport gave its boisterous crowd a comeback it would never forget.

---CNU---