Live Stats / Live Video

BOSTON, Mass. -- The third-ranked Christopher Newport volleyball team will face its first road tests of the season beginning on Friday when the Captains open up the two-day Beacons Invitational at UMass Boston's Clark Athletic Gymnasium.

Following a perfect 5-0 start to the season, CNU will kick off the tournament with a 5 p.m. contest against Saint Benedict before taking on the host Beacons at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the squad will battle Tufts at 10 a.m. and No. 12 Eastern at 2 p.m.

For those fans unable to make it to Boston, live stats will be available for Friday's match against UMass Boston and each of Saturday's contests. Live video will also be available for Friday's battle with the Beacons. Direct links can be found at the top of this release and on the CNU schedule page.

A LOOK AT THE CAPTAINS

During the first week of the season, Christopher Newport showed off an electric offensive attack, which produced a .336 team hitting percentage. Reigning first-team All-American Hannah Miller led the way with a .438 mark to go along with 40 kills. Briana Sutton also paced the squad with 66 kills while hitting at a .391 clip, and Maddie McCann chipped in with 52 blasts and a .362 mark. All three standouts earned a spot on the Captains Classic All-Tournament Team over the weekend.

In addition to the hitters, Rachel Conway was named the Captains Classic MVP and secured the Capital Athletic Conference Player of the Week award for her performance. The senior setter dished out 11.67 assists-per-set and added five blocks and four aces. Defensively, Miller came through with 17 blocks, and Ashley Rock notched 12 rejections. Rachel Close pocketed 43 digs during the first week of the season as well.

LAST TIME OUT

CNU is coming off of a perfect showing during the Captains Classic as the squad swept Meredith, Susquehanna, Hiram, and Bridgewater. During the four matches, Conway finished with 143 assists, while Miller hit .478 to go along with 35 kills. Sutton also pounded the opposition with 54 blasts, including 18 against Susquehanna on Friday night.

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION

Saint Benedict comes into Friday with a 2-2 record. The Blazers only losses have come against No. 23 Coe and Northwestern (Minn.), who is also receiving votes in the latest AVCA National Poll. So far this season, Laura Schmitt leads the team with 45 kills, while Megan Pekarek has averaged nearly eight assists-per-set. Defensively, Lauren Mathews has a team-high 17 rejections, and Meghan Koop has compiled a 4.60 digs-per-set average.

UMass Boston sports a 1-4 record so far this year, but similar to Saint Benedict, the Beacons have faced a tough schedule. The squad has setbacks against No. 14 Elmhurst, No. 17 Wisconsin-Whitewater, and Hendrix, who is receiving votes in the national rankings. On an individual level, Eileen Shi has 45 kills, while Julia Murphy has 40. Defensively, Elizabeth Glavan has cleaned the back row with 65 digs, and Murphy boasts a team-high 16 blocks.

Tufts, who advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season, opened the year with a 3-0 victory over Springfield on Wednesday. During the match, the squad was led by reigning All-Conference selection Maddie Kuppe, who collected 11 digs and nine kills. Freshman Angela Yu also contributed 15 assists and 10 digs, while Mary Maccabee added a team-high 10 kills. Elizabeth Ahrens chipped in with five blocks, including a solo stop, as well.

Eastern boasts a pristine 5-0 record this season after defeating Muhlenberg in the season opener before winning the Moravian College Tournament Championship over the weekend. Coming off of a trip to the Sweet 16 last season, the Eagles boast an experienced roster, including two All-Americans. Rylie Haas, a second-team All-American last year, is averaging 5.53 digs-per-set this year, while Rikki Schlager, a third-team All-American in 2014, has a 10.71 assists-per-set average. Erin Hillman also leads the way with 46 kills.

SERIES HISTORY

Saint Benedict will be facing the Captains for the first time in program history.

UMass Boston has battled CNU twice with the Captains pulling out a pair of victories in 2012. Christopher Newport defeated UMB at the Beacons Invitational that season before topping the squad again in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in Holland, Michigan.

Tufts has faced the Captains only once with CNU picking up a 3-0 victory during the 2012 Beacons Invitational in Boston.

Eastern and CNU have started a rivalry in recent years as the two teams have split their eight all-time meetings. Last season, Christopher Newport defeated the Eagles during the Mary Washington Invitational before upending them again in the NCAA Sweet 16. One year earlier, Eastern got the best of the Captains with a victory during the CNU Invitational and again in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

WE'LL BE 'CNU' SOON

Following the Beacons Invitational, Christopher Newport will return home for the CNU Invitational beginning next Friday at the Freeman Center. The Captains will open up the two-day tournament against Averett and No. 5 Juniata on September 18.

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