Live Video Stream & Live Stats

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The 25th-ranked Christopher Newport volleyball team will kick off its 2014 campaign at home with the two-day Captains Classic beginning on Friday afternoon at the Freeman Center.

CNU will first take the court at 4 p.m. when the team battles Keene State. Later in the evening, the Captains will return for a match against Washington & Lee at 8 p.m. On Saturday, the squad will have another doubleheader with a noon contest against Cabrini and a 4 p.m. showdown with Bridgewater.

Those four matches highlight an exciting slate of volleyball action, which also features Meredith, Southern Virginia, and Virginia Wesleyan. All of the Captains' matches will be streamed live on CNUsports.com. Fans can watch the action or follow along with live stats all weekend at CNUsports.com/live.

The Captains enter the season with high expectations after opening the year ranked 25th in the nation. Last season, the squad captured the Capital Athletic Conference Championship, rolled to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and finished with a 25-13 record.

This year's team features an impressive veteran contingent led by a strong senior class. Brooke Moore, Jessie Kolden, and Krista Hughes have all been instrumental in the program's run of success over the past few years. Moore has been a staple on the back row, serving as a defensive specialist and libero. Hughes and Kolden have helped anchor the front line with Hughes providing versatility as a middle and right-side hitter, while Kolden collected All-American nods as an outside hitter in 2012.

Among the younger players, Briana Sutton was honored as the CAC Co-Player and Rookie of the Year last season, while Rachel Conway and Hannah Miller both secured second-team All-League nods. Sophomore Rachel Close also appeared in 34 matches last year while leading the team with a 3.21 digs-per-set average.

The Captains Classic will provide several early-season tests for Christopher Newport as all four of its opponents are coming off of successful 2013 seasons. Keene State went 20-13 last year and welcomes back All-Conference middle blocker, Madeline Nossiff. Washington & Lee finished the season with a 28-7 record and earned a berth in last year's NCAA Tournament. The Generals, who split a pair of matches with the Captains in 2013, were named the preseason favorites in the ODAC and return All-Conference selection Mackenzie Shand.

On Saturday, CNU faces Cabrini after upending the Cavaliers in the first round of last year's NCAA Tournament. Cabrini returns four All-Conference performers from its 2013 squad, including setter Cassidy Koenig. The Captains will also take on Bridgewater, who went 20-16 last season and advanced to the semifinals of the ODAC Tournament. The Eagles return a solid core from their 2013 roster, including Megann Grimes, who was a first-team All-Conference and All-State selection.

Following Saturday's action, Christopher Newport will return to the court next Friday for the beginning of the Mary Washington Invitational in Fredericksburg, Va.

---CNU---