FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- In a key clash of the two remaining unbeaten teams in the Capital Athletic Conference, the 33rd-ranked Christopher Newport women's tennis team will travel to face 18th-ranked Mary Washington on Saturday morning. The match time has been changed, as the Captains will now take on the Eagles at 10:00 am, with first place in the league standings on the line.
Christopher Newport (11-5, 4-0) comes into the matchup following a challenging trip to Massachusetts as part of the 5th Annual Nor'Easter Bowl hosted by Wellesley College. The Captains faced three nationally-ranked opponents on three straight days, coming away with a win over No. 28 Babson College on the final day, marking their third win over a nationally-ranked foe this season.
The Captains have been led by sophomore
McKinney Harwood, the reigning CAC Player of the Week, at the top spot in singles and doubles. Harwood picked up three wins at the Nor'Easter Bowl to improve to 6-4 in duals this spring, all at the top spot. In doubles, she pairs with
Katie Carlson at No. 1 double and has a 10-5 record as the Captains' top tandem, ranking 8th in the Atlantic South Region. Harwood is also ranked No. 19 among singles players in the most recent region rankings.
Led by a strong season from sophomores
Emily Morgan and
Alexandra Drye at No. 2 doubles, the Captains are winning nearly 69% of their matches in pairs play. Morgan and Drye have combined for a 12-3 record in 15 duals at No. 2 this season.
Mary Washington comes into the matchup with an impressive 15-3 overall record, while rushing through the league schedule with a 6-0 record in conference play. The Eagles have won three straight since a tight 5-4 setback to nationally-ranked Washington & Lee on April 2. The Eagles also feature one regionally-ranked singles player and one regionally-ranked doubles tandem. Kait Brogan checks in at No. 11 in the Atlantic South for singles, while she and Shelby Harris are listed as the No. 4 duo in the region.
Last season, the Captains posted their closest match in 17 career battles with the Eagles, earning three points in a 6-3 setback in the regular season. Mary Washington has won 12 straight conference titles and under head coach Patrick Catullo, has posted an 81-0 record in conference matches.
