Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Senior Cory Harris joined a prestigious group and helped the top-ranked Christopher Newport volleyball team remain hot as the squad swept the University of Texas-Tyler, 3-0 (25-11, 25-18, 25-16), and Roger Williams, 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-18), during the final day of the Captains Classic at the Freeman Center.

Harris became just the fourth player in program history to record 1000 kills and 1000 digs after reaching both milestones on Saturday afternoon. With that effort, she joined Amber Bradshaw, Heather Vaden, and head coach Lindsay Birch as the only Captains to accomplish that feat.

Fittingly, she reached both milestones with an impressive effort, roping 24 kills while notching 17 digs during the two matches. Jessie Kolden also had an outstanding performance, firing a team-high 25 kills while hitting .489. Alyssa Kidd helped guide the potent attack as well, dishing out 57 assists for Christopher Newport (4-0).

Not surprisingly, all three Captains earned a place on the All-Tournament team for their efforts. They were joined by Bailey Jensen, who garnered Most Valuable Player accolades after piecing together an outstanding weekend. During the four matches, she collected 35 kills and eight blocks, including 16 blasts and five stuffs on Saturday.

In the opener against UT-Tyler, CNU stormed out quickly and never looked back. During the opening frame, the squad ran away with a 15-7 lead before the Patriots called a timeout. Hoping to slow down the fast-paced attack, the stoppage did little to affect the Captains. Jensen unloaded a pair of kills, Brooke Moore lined an ace, and Chastity Lacy capped off the 25-11 victory with her third kill of the frame.

The second set played much like the first as the Captains took an early advantage behind Harris' tremendous offensive effort. In the first 21 rallies, the CNU senior picked up five kills, including her 1000^th on a perfectly set ball by Kidd to give the squad a 13-8 lead.

After that point, the Captains eased into the victory. Kolden fired a pair of kills and Jensen added a block and blast to help close out the 25-18 win.

One set away from their third straight sweep, CNU jumped out early and never looked back. Buoyed by a five-point run in the middle of the set, highlighted by an ace from Jensen, the hosts secured a double-digit advantage at 15-4. Later, a block by Katie Jarrett and Chance Rye along with back-to-back winners from Kolden helped the squad secure the three-set victory with a 25-16 win in the final frame.

Kolden led the way with 14 kills in the first match while hitting an impressive .542. Harris also chipped in with nine kills on just 15 swings, while Jensen added seven kills and a pair of blocks.

Looking to keep their perfect record intact, the Captains squared off with Roger Williams in the final match of the tournament. Despite the momentum from their earlier victory, CNU had its hands full during the early going against the Hawks. The squads battled to five ties before the hosts broke away following a 9-9 deadlock.

A barrage of kills, including a pair by Harris and one each from Christie Fellows and Chastity Lacy, gave the squad a 13-9 lead heading into a Roger Williams timeout. Although the Hawks were able to regroup a bit and pull within three, they could never get any closer.

Eventually, Kolden fired three late kills to help the squad earn set point before Jensen cleaned up the frame with a laser on the final rally to secure a 25-21 victory.

After outlasting the Hawks in the first set, the Captains made quick work of their opposition in the second. Once again, Harris and Kolden were at the forefront of the attack, firing three kills apiece on the way to a 15-8 advantage. With a commanding lead, CNU turned to Jensen once again as the senior standout uncorked three late kills, including the final rocket that clinched the 25-16 win.

One set away from capping off a pristine performance in their home tournament, the Captains had little interest in slowing down. Although Roger Williams kept it close and trailed by just one at 9-8, Kolden fired a kill and teamed with Jensen on a block to give the Captains some wiggle room. Following a timeout, Jensen continued to shine with three more kills and another block as the squad extended its lead to nine at 20-11.

Although the Hawks refused to give up and fought hard until the end, kills by Harris, Kolden, and Kara Elder put Roger Williams away in the final frame, 25-18.

Harris was on fire in the last match of the tournament, lining 15 kills while hitting .483. She just missed out on a double-double, recording nine digs including the 1000^th of her career. Kidd also looked sharp, dolling out 28 assists, chipping in with nine digs, and adding five kills for good measure.

Defensively, Jensen had three blocks to go along with her nine kills, while Hogge added a team-high 11 digs. The senior All-American was also a perfect 26-for-26 on receptions and has now converted all 71 of her opportunities during the year.

The Captains will return to action on Tuesday when the squad kicks off a two-week, three-state tour against Salisbury at 6:30 p.m.

---CNU---