MIDDLETOWN, Pa. -- In a performance for the record books, the fourth-ranked Christopher Newport volleyball team posted a sizzling .604 hitting percentage to help extend the squad's winning streak to nine straight matches as CNU took down Penn State Harrisburg, 3-0 (25-12, 25-8, 25-13), during a Capital Athletic Conference clash at the Capital Union Building on Saturday evening.
 
Guided by an efficient attack, Christopher Newport broke the program's single-match record for team hitting percentage. The squad's .604 mark eclipsed the previous record of .559 set against Ferrum on October 29, 2011. Not only does that performance rank first in program history, but it also stands 10th all-time in Division III and marks the finest single-match effort by any team at any level of the NCAA this season.
 
Leading the way, Katelyn Newsome, Kellyn DeChirico, and Cat Boyle all pumped seven kills without committing a single attack error. Meanwhile, Tylar McGill paced the offense with 31 assists, while Briana Sutton finished with a match-high eight kills to go along with a .500 hitting percentage.
 
Just as effective on the defensive end, Newsome chipped in with five blocks, including two solo stops. Boyle and McGill also added a pair of rejections as CNU limited the Lions to a -.051 hitting percentage.
 
With the victory, Christopher Newport improves to 21-2 on the season, including 5-0 in CAC action. The setback drops Penn State Harrisburg to 9-13 overall and 0-5 in league tilts.
 
Finding their rhythm quickly, the Captains excelled in all facets of the game from the outset. Early on, Madi Wickens blistered an ace, while Evelyn Harper also had a solid streak at the service line and helped CNU win four straight rallies. Meanwhile, Newsome and McGill teamed up on a pair of blocks to help secure a fast 12-5 lead heading into a PSH timeout.
 
Following the stoppage, CNU continued to roll. Josie Lucernoni smacked an ace, Sutton collected two kills and a block, and DeChirico added a pair of bullets of her own to steal a huge 23-11 lead. With little left to prove, Newsome and Tessa Klimaitis eventually unloaded back-to-back kills to close out the opening frame, 25-12.
 
In the second set, Wickens helped kick off another early surge with two more aces, while DeChirico added a block and blast to pull out to a quick 8-2 edge. Looking for a little more breathing room, Newsome pieced together an outstanding run as the second-year standout came through with two kills and a pair of blocks, including a huge solo stop, to snatch a double-digit advantage at 15-5.
 
Following three Lion miscues, Christopher Newport eventually closed out the second set with a spectacular seven-point roll. Klimaitis bookended the final push with a pair of daggers, while Boyle slammed home back-to-back darts and Newsome chipped in with her second solo block of the set to lock up the 25-8 triumph.
 
After helping close out the second stanza, Klimaitis opened up the third with two early kills before the Captains found themselves deadlocked at five. Having little interest in a back-and-forth battle, Sutton punched a pair of kills and Boyle slung an ace to headline another seven-point streak, which lifted CNU to a 12-5 advantage. Shortly thereafter, Newsome launched a kill and ace on back-to-back rallies before Sutton unloaded two more rockets to take an 18-7 lead.
 
Although the Lions were able to trade blows late in the frame, CNU eased into the victory. Continuing her excellent evening, Newsome added two final kills, while Boyle came through with her seventh blast to help secure match-point. Eventually, Sutton took a feed from McGill and added the final punctuation mark with her eighth kill to wrap up the third, 25-13.
 
During the match, Newsome finished a perfect 7-for-7 on attack attempts, while DeChirico collected her seven kills on just eight swings. Meanwhile, on the defensive end, the Captains kept the Lions in-check at the service line. Penn State Harrisburg entered the match ranked second in the conference in aces, but CNU limited the hosts to just one on Saturday. Boyle converted all 17 of her reception attempts, while Lucernoni was nine-for-nine as well.
 
Christopher Newport will return to action on Sunday with a 2 p.m. battle at St. Mary's.
 
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