NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The Christopher Newport women's basketball team will hit the hardwood for the first time in 2015-16 this Sunday, November 15 at home against the Washington & Lee Generals. The Captains will tip off in the Freeman Center at 2:00 pm, as part of a doubleheader with the men's team who will host Lynchburg at 4:00 pm. 

Live stats and a live video webcast will be available at CNUsports.com/live for both games, as the CNU women open up at the Freeman Center for just the fourth time in the 16-year history of the building. It will be the first time in head coach Bill Broderick's four-year tenure that the Captains start the season within the friendly confines of the Freeman Center, where CNU boasts an impressive 173-32 all-time record.  The Captains are 12-3 in home openers since the Freeman Center opened in 2000-01. 

Heading into this season, the Captains will feature an exciting, young roster that includes just three players in their junior and senior season. The sophomore class headlines a team that returns three of its four leading scorers and rebounders from a season ago, including forward Sam Porter, who ranked second on the team in both categories last year. Porter averaged 9.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game as a rookie, and will look to at least partially fill the shoes of exiting All-Conference forward Camry Green. Green averaged a double-double for CNU in her final campaign and the Captains will look to multiple players to help fill the void. 

Sophomore Devon Byrd saw plenty of action up front as a reserve her first year, averaging 7.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Newcomers to factor into the mix include sophomore transfer Jasmine Bonivel (Mount Union) with rookies Ellen Nye and Jessica Daguilh. 

On the perimeter, the Captains expect to be very deep with a handful of sophomore guards returning to the floor. That group includes Jalynn Ponzo, a starter in every game last season, along with Bailey Dufrene, Makenzie Fancher, Anitra Thomas, and Makeda Wright. Rookie guards Brooke Basinger, Madison Howdyshell and Zhara Tannor will also look to make an immediate impact for coach Broderick. 

The Captains will open up the year against Washington & Lee, against whom the team owns a 3-1 all-time advantage in the series. It will be the first time the two teams have matched up since 2011-12, when the Generals captured a one-point win in Newport News. 

This season, Washington & Lee has been picked to finish fourth in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, while garnering two first-place votes. The ODAC expects to be very competitive with Lynchburg, Eastern Mennonite and Randolph-Macon each picking up first-place votes in the poll as well. Fourth-year head coach Christine Clancy has experience at her call this year, with leading scorer Jackie Clifford, a junior, returning to the court after averaging 12.2 points per game on 48.4% shooting. Seniors Shelbi Hendricks and Paige Corvino, with 21 starts apiece last season, will also provide veteran depth after combining for 17.4 points and 12.7 rebounds. 

Ticket prices for single game admission to CNU Basketball are $8 for chairback and $5 for general admission. Free admission is granted to CNU students with a valid ID 

Following Sunday's season opener, the Captains will return to action on Wednesday, November 18 against Bridgewater College. Tip off against the Eagles is 7:00 pm.