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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The Christopher Newport volleyball team will kick off the 2015 campaign on Tuesday at 7 p.m. when the Captains welcome Virginia Wesleyan to town for a non-conference battle at the Freeman Center.
 
CNU enters the season with high expectations as the team was selected sixth in the AVCA National Preseason Coaches Poll. Christopher Newport is coming off of a strong 2014 campaign, which saw the squad advance to the NCAA Championships while compiling a 34-4 record. Along the way, the Captains collected the Capital Athletic Conference Championship and won an NCAA Regional title as well.
 
On the other side of the net, Virginia Wesleyan posted a 24-10 record while advancing to the semifinals of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Tournament last year. This season, the Marlins settled into the No. 4 spot in the ODAC Preseason Coaches Poll after returning a solid group of veterans, including three All-Conference performers from last season.

For those fans unable to make it to Tuesday's action, live stats and a video stream will be available 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 CAPTAINS
Christopher Newport welcomes back four All-Americans from last year's squad, including first-team selection Hannah Miller. Senior Rachel Conway also secured second-team nods last season, while Briana Sutton was a third-team pick and Eliza Fisher brought home honorable mention accolades following a tremendous freshman campaign.
 
Overall, CNU graduated only three seniors from the 2014 squad and returns all six starters from the team's Elite Eight bout against Calvin last year. In addition to the team's All-American performers, Christopher Newport welcomes back senior captains Ashley Rock and Abby McIntyre as well as reigning All-Region honoree Maddie McCann.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Excluding spring matches and preseason contests, the Captains were last in action on November 21, 2014 during the NCAA Championships against Calvin. During the contest, CNU fell to the Knights, 3-1, at the Freeman Center. Miller capped off her All-American season with 10 kills and three blocks, while Fisher put away eight kills without a single attack error. Sutton also unleashed nine kills and four aces, including three straight in the opening set.
 
SCOUTING THE MARLINS
Similar to the Captains, Virginia Wesleyan welcomes back a solid collection of standouts from its 2014 roster. Leading the way, junior Tiffany Barrett secured first-team All-League accolades last year after punching 372 kills. Senior Marin Crowder was also a second-team selection after pocketing a conference-best 513 digs, while fellow fourth-year standout Kirstin Sessoms nabbed third-team All-ODAC honors after notching 919 assists last season.
 
SERIES HISTORY
The Captains and Marlins have squared off 13 times with CNU holding a pristine 13-0 record. Last year, Virginia Wesleyan took the Captains to four sets before Christopher Newport prevailed. During that bout, Miller had 11 kills and hit .318, while McCann contributed 10 kills and nine digs. Conway also dished out 35 assists to go along with eight digs and three blocks.
 
WE'LL BE "CNU" SOON
Up next for CNU, Christopher Newport will host the annual Captains Classic beginning on Friday with a 4 p.m. showdown against Meredith. The squad will also take on Susquehanna at 8 p.m. before engaging in another doubleheader against Hiram and Bridgewater on Saturday.
 
---CNU---