NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The Christopher Newport University men's and women's tennis teams are set for a busy weekend, scheduled for seven matches over the next two days. First, on Saturday, the Captains will travel to take on Southern Virginia and nationally-ranked Washington & Lee; then, on Sunday, CNU will play host to CAC rival Frostburg State and the men's team will take on Division I College of Charleston. 

The men's team is off to a terrific start this season, ranking No. 10 in the Atlantic South region with a 6-3 overall record. The Captains have gone 4-2 against regionally-ranked opponents, and their only two Division III setbacks came to Top Ten programs. 

Leading the way has been rookie Sam Thomson, with a 7-2 mark in singles play this spring, including a nearly flawless 6-1 record at the No. 3 spot. In No. 1 doubles play, with fellow freshman Steven Boslet, Thomson has gone 6-3 to give the Captains a good start in tandem play. Boslet and another freshman, Arttu Fiva, are second on the team with five wins apiece in singles play.

The CNU men will start their Saturday with an 11:00 am match against Southern Virginia (3-5) in a non-conference matchup. Though the Knights are in the Capital Athletic Conference, they are in their final year of provisional Division III status and their match will not count in the league standings. They will then take on the 22nd-ranked Generals (9-2) at 4:00 pm. Washington & Lee is ranked fourth in the region. On Sunday, the Captains will host a pair of matches with the first being a CAC pairing with Frostburg State (2-3) at 10:00 am, followed by the second Division I program on the schedule for head coach Eric Christiansen, the College of Charleston (9-4) at 3:30 pm. C of C is ranked No. 64 nationally in the ITA Division I rankings.

On the women's side, youth is also shining through at the start of the spring season. Winners in three of the last five matches, the Captains are being led by freshmen Katie Carlson and Logan Eldridge. Carlson has five singles wins at the No. 4 position and Eldridge has combined for four between the No. 2 and 3 slots. In doubles play, Eldridge has paired with Jackie Gaine for the best CNU pairing, winning four matches so far this season.

On Saturday, the CNU women will face No. 22 Washington & Lee (10-1) at 10:00 am before traveling to Buena Vista, Va. for a match against Southern Virginia (2-7) at 2:30 pm. The CAC matchup against the Frostburg State Bobcats (1-5) will begin at 10:00 am on Sunday, at the CNU Tennis Courts.