NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Ashley Rock anchored a solid effort on the offensive end, while Rachel Close did excellent work on the back row as the fifth-ranked Christopher Newport volleyball team took down Wesley, 3-0 (25-14, 25-11, 25-12), during a Capital Athletic Conference match-up on Wednesday evening at the Freeman Center.
 
Rock headlined CNU's front line as the senior pounded eight kills while hitting .467. Hannah Miller also contributed a team-high nine kills for the Captains, while Rachel Conway dished out 32 assists. Meanwhile, on the defensive end, Close collected 14 digs and was a perfect 15-for-15 on reception attempts. Abby McIntyre also came through with eight digs and a block to help Christopher Newport limit the Wolverines to a -.052 hitting percentage.
 
With the victory, Christopher Newport improves to 26-2 with an 8-0 record in league play. The win also guarantees the Captains at least a share of the regular season CAC title and the No. 1 seed in the upcoming conference tournament. Meanwhile, the setback drops Wesley to 12-16 overall with a 1-7 mark in league tilts.
 
From the outset, CNU put its defense on display as Miller and Maddie McCann came through with a pair of solo blocks to help grab a fast 10-4 lead. Continuing the quick start, Conway, Miller, and Tessa Klimaitis all pumped two kills apiece, while Evelyn Harper stung an ace to highlight an impressive mid-set surge that gave the hosts an imposing 19-8 advantage.
 
Although the visitors momentarily broke up that run, Close took over at the service line and smacked two aces to help give Christopher Newport a 23-10 edge. Despite a modest streak by the Wolverines at the tail end of the first, Rock pounded her third kill of the frame before Klimaitis drove home the final nail off a feed from Conway to close out the set, 25-14.
 
In the second, Conway and Katelyn Newsome teamed up on an early block, while McIntyre punched an ace as the hosts wiggled out to a slim 8-6 advantage. Looking for more breathing room, Madi Wickens roped an ace of her own, while McCann drilled a pair of kills to snare a 15-7 lead heading into a Wesley timeout.
 
Despite the stoppage, the Captains continued to roll. Conway dumped in a pair of kills before Rock ripped a rocket to nail down set-point at 24-11. Hoping to end things quickly, Close took over at the line and blistered her fourth ace of the contest to ice the second, 25-11.
 
With two sets in the bag, Christopher Newport jumped out to another fast lead in the third. McCann and Newsome led the early run with two kills apiece, while Rock hit the Wolverines with an ace to grab a 9-4 edge. Continuing to dominate from the line, Conway crushed another winner, while Miller elevated for her second solo block of the game to snatch an 18-9 advantage.
 
After a little back-and-forth battle, the Captains settled in and put a bow on the match with a huge five-point run. Leading the late surge, Tylar McGill connected with McIntyre on three kills, including the final dagger, to lock up the 25-12 triumph.
 
Overall, McIntyre finished with six kills to go along with her eight digs, while McCann also had seven blasts on the front line. Meanwhile, Josie Lucernoni converted all six of her reception attempts for the Captains, and Harper chipped in with six digs as well.
 
Christopher Newport will return to action on Saturday when the squad caps off the regular season with a noon battle at Marymount.
 
---CNU---