NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Starting a four-match homestand on Friday, the Christopher Newport volleyball team will be active this weekend as CNU opens up its run against Virginia Wesleyan at 6 p.m. before squaring off with Frostburg State and William Peace in a tri-match on Saturday beginning at noon.
The Captains enter Friday with a 12-11 record after downing Southern Virginia, 3-0, on Tuesday. Christopher Newport will face several familiar foes over the weekend as the squad holds an 11-0 mark all-time against Virginia Wesleyan and a pristine 22-0 record against William Peace. The squad has not fared quite as well against Frostburg State as the Bobcats won all four previous meetings during a short rivalry, which ran from 1999-2004.
Just as always, the matches this weekend will be available through live stats on CNUsports.com. A web stream will also be accessible through CNU's website. Direct links to both features can be found on the volleyball schedule page.
All-American Chastity Lacy has paced the Captains so far this year, leading the way with 157 kills and 26 aces. She is also averaging a team-best 1.16 blocks-per-set, which places her in the top-20 nationally. Overall, she has recorded at least three blocks in 15 matches this season, including nine against Washington & Lee and Benedictine.
Making an immediate impact, freshmen Briana Sutton and Hannah Miller have helped solidify Christopher Newport's success along the net. Sutton is averaging a team-high 2.25 kills-per-set and has pounded at least 10 in each of her last three outings. Miller also boasts 140 kills this year and ranks second on the squad with 61 blocks. She also leads the way with 25 solo stops.
Equally adept in nearly every facet of the game, Abby McIntyre ranks second on the team with 204 digs, 156 kills, and 25 aces. Rachel Conway has also pieced together a well-balanced effort, leading the Captains with 424 assists while ranking third with 57 blocks. Rachel Close and Brooke Moore have helped anchor the back row, combining for an average of six digs per set.
Standing at 11-8 on the year, Virginia Wesleyan has dropped its last two matches after grabbing victories in four of its previous five outings. Squaring off against several CAC members during non-conference bouts, the Marlins are currently 1-3 against CNU's league foes, including a three-set victory against Penn State-Harrisburg and a 3-0 loss to Salisbury.
Pacing the VWC attack, Alex Lambert leads the team with 175 kills, while Tiffany Barrett and Kelsey Caviston have 130 apiece. Kirstin Sessoms has also averaged just under five assists per set, while Marin Crowder has compiled 333 digs and 32 aces.
Looking to snap the squad's six-match losing streak, Frostburg State enters Saturday's action with a 3-20 overall record, including an 0-2 mark in CAC action. During league play, the Bobcats dropped a 3-1 decision at Marymount before falling to Mary Washington, 3-0, on Wednesday evening.
Aimee Petrides has been FSU's top performer so far this year, blasting 224 kills and 23 aces. Morgan Hoover also has 160 kills and is tied with Brianna Teets for the team-lead with 52 blocks. Caitlyn Collins has been strong this season as well, dishing out 563 assists and 35 aces.
CNU and William Peace are familiar foes after spending time as conference rivals in the USA South up until this season. With the Captains' departure, the Pacers have settled near the top of the league, boasting a 17-3 overall record and an 8-2 mark in conference tilts. Peace has been especially strong lately, rolling to three straight sweeps entering its Thursday night match with St. Andrews.
Electric along the net, Megan Mansfield leads the team with 246 kills while hitting .273. Lauren Naugle also boasts 168 kills, while Tempestt Frazier has a team-best 53 blocks. On the back row, Maddie Irvin is averaging 3.96 digs-per-set.
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