Box Score

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Making their first ever appearance in the Capital Athletic Conference Tournament, the second-seeded Christopher Newport women's tennis team suffered a 7-2 loss to third-seeded Salisbury University (12-7). The Captains (10-11) conclude their season in the conference semifinals, falling to the Sea Gulls by the same score they won by in the regular season. 

The two teams matched up just over two weeks ago on the very same CNU Courts hosting the semifinal matchup. Unfortunately for the Captains, CNU suffered a key loss to its starting lineup since that head-to-head regular season battle, as rookie Logan Eldridge was injured and unable to compete on Tuesday. The loss would prove pivotal, as the freshman ranked second on the team in singles wins this season, and also paired with Jackie Gaine for nine doubles victories, including a big win against Salisbury.  

Even without Eldridge, the Captains new-formed doubles tandems put up a great fight in all three positions. CNU led, 6-3, in all three positions before Salisbury came storming back. Gaine paired with senior Kelsey Clark at No. 2, dropping an 8-6 decision, while rookies Brook Byrd and Anna Chekalkina forced a tiebreak at No. 3. At No. 1, CNU's regionally-ranked tandem of Katie Carlson and Jodi Noland teetered back with Natalie Savage and Roxanne Alban, but the Sea Gulls won six of the last seven points to capture the win and give Salisbury a 3-0 lead headed into singles play. 

With wins at No. 5 and 6, Christopher Newport pulled within one point in the team scoring, 3-2, but Salisbury answered with the match-clinching wins in 1-4. Byrd won her match at No. 5 over Claudia Lohn (7-5, 6-3) and Chekalkina posted a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Sam Babo in the No. 6 position. 

All four of the remaining singles matches saw at least one set forced to a seventh point. Two matches went to a set tiebreak and in the No. 3 matchup, Gaine won a set against Katie Youlios before suffering a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 loss. 

The two teams were both ranked in this week's ITA Regional Rankings, with CNU edging out Salisbury by one spot in the poll. The Sea Gulls will now advance to the CAC Championship and will take on the winner of top-seeded Mary Washington and fourth-seeded St. Mary's College (Md.), whose match is set to be played on Wednesday.