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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The fifth-ranked Christopher Newport volleyball team will welcome Lycoming to town for a non-conference contest on Friday at 7 p.m. before hosting York (Pa.) in a Capital Athletic Conference showdown on Saturday at noon at the Freeman Center.
Saturday's match against the Spartans will serve as CNU's Senior Day with the Captains honoring the career achievements of
Rachel Conway,
Abby McIntyre, and
Ashley Rock.
Christopher Newport comes into Friday's battle with a 23-2 overall record and a 6-0 mark in conference action. Meanwhile, Lycoming sits at 17-9 on the season, while York is 10-15 with a 2-3 record in CAC play.
For those fans unable to make it to the matches, the Captains will provide live stats and a web stream of the action at CNUsports.com. Direct links to both features can be found at the top of this release and on the CNU schedule page.
A LOOK AT THE SENIOR CAPTAINS Christopher Newport boasts an impressive senior class comprised of three standout student-athletes. Together, Conway, McIntyre, and Rock have helped lead the Captains to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances and a pair of Regional Championships. Since they arrived on campus, the three stars have helped the team register an incredible 122-22 record while winning three straight league titles.
Conway has appeared in 122 matches since 2012 and currently ranks fourth on the program's all-time assists list with 3,222. Her 8.48 assists-per-set average also ranks third in CNU history. A dynamic setter, the reigning second-team All-American is one of just seven players in program history with at least 200 kills, 200 blocks, and 100 aces. Along with her All-American honor, she is also a two-time All-Conference and All-State selection and was named the CAC Player of the Year in 2014.
McIntyre is one of the nation's most experienced players, appearing in 135 career matches. Among active players at all levels of the NCAA, that ranks 22nd in the country. A key contributor from the very moment she arrived at CNU, she is the only Captain who has appeared in all 11 NCAA Tournament matches since 2012. A valuable asset in all facets of the game, she has 419 kills, 809 digs, and 158 aces, which currently ranks 14th in program history.
Rock has been a steadfast leader both on and off the court for CNU and is the only three-year captain in program history. After battling back from a knee injury that sidelined her as a freshman, she has made the most of her time on the court. In 80 career matches, she boasts 81 aces and 189 blocks. A master on the defensive end, her 0.81 blocks-per-set average currently ranks eighth in program history, while her 12 rejections against Salisbury on September 30, 2014 are tied for the single-match program record.
LAST TIME OUT Christopher Newport extended its winning streak to 11 straight matches on Tuesday when the Captains upended Gallaudet, 3-1, in Washington D.C. Against the Bison,
Briana Sutton unloaded 19 kills while hitting at a .531 clip. Meanwhile, McIntyre collected 13 kills, while Conway contributed 48 assists and 13 digs. Rock registered a team-high seven blocks as well.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION Lycoming comes into Friday's bout on a two-match roll, including a 3-0 victory over Albright on Wednesday. So far this season, Bethany Richardson has been the team's top force, ripping 239 kills while hitting .299. She has also peppered 41 aces, while Lauren Fink leads the team with 51 winners. Catherine Burger also sports a 9.71 assists-per-set average, and Emily Hepner has a team-high 444 digs.
York (Pa.) enters the weekend after dropping its last two decisions but had won five of its previous six contests before that minor skid. The Spartans have featured a well-balanced attack with three players averaging over two kills-per-set. Kelly Cavey leads the squad with 192 total kills, while Brooke Krebs is second with 190. Meanwhile, Sarah Wukitch has a 7.97 assists-per-set average and 54 aces, and Katherine Graziano has a league-best 5.72 digs-per-set rate.
SERIES HISTORY Lycoming and CNU will be facing off for the first time in program history on Friday evening.
York has battled Christopher Newport twice since the Captains joined the CAC in 2013. CNU holds a 2-0 record in those contests, including a 3-0 triumph in Pennsylvania last season.
UP NEXT Following the two matches this weekend, Christopher Newport will return to action on October 28 for a 7 p.m. contest against Wesley at the Freeman Center.
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