NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- For the first time in program history, the Christopher Newport women's tennis program will open up their season with a national ranking as the 37th-ranked Captains host N.C. Wesleyan (0-0) on Sunday, February 7 at 10:00 am. CNU will host the Battling Bishops at Centre Court Racquet Club in non-conference action. 

The Captains will host six straight matches at home over the first two weeks of the season starting with the opener against N.C. Wesleyan. The former conference rivals have matched up 16 times in program history with Christopher Newport holding a 16-1 advantage in the all-time series. Under Director of Tennis Eric Christiansen, the Captains own a 2-0 edge all-time against N.C. Wesleyan, with both victories coming in 2013, CNU's last year in the USA South Athletic Conference.

This fall, the team endured several rain-shortened events leading into the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Southeast Regional Championships, forcing a limited schedule. Still, four players registered multiple wins in singles play led by sophomore McKinney Harwood with a 3-2 overall mark. In doubles action, sophomores Emily Morgan and Isabelle Wessel went 4-1 and one the Blue 1 flight championship at the ITA Regional. Claire Dockrill also collected four doubles victories in the fall. 

In 2015, Christopher Newport finished the year with a 14-6 overall record and a 6-1 mark in conference play. Harwood became the first player in program history to earn ITA Region Rookie of the Year honors and was also listed in the final national ranking of the year as a singles player. She checked in at No. 49 nationally while also collecting the No. 12 spot in the Atlantic South. As a team, CNU finished 2015 and begins the 2016 season ranked No. 7 in the Atlantic South. 

Check back to CNUsports.com for a full recap and scores following the action.