FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- The 23rd-ranked Christopher Newport volleyball team picked up its seventh-straight victory and remained unbeaten in league action as the Captains outlasted Mary Washington, 3-2 (27-25, 25-20, 13-25, 21-25, 16-14), during a Capital Athletic Conference battle on Thursday evening at the Ron Rosner Arena.
 
Dominant on the defensive end, four Captains pocketed at least 10 digs against the Eagles. Josie Lucernoni led the way with 22 digs, while Katie Crofford added a dozen. Meanwhile, Katie Piper and Tylar McGill both chipped in with double-doubles. Piper blasted 15 kills to go along with 15 digs, while McGill handed out 24 assists and added 12 ups.
 
Equally effective along the net, Christopher Newport registered 15 blocks during the match. Katelyn Newsome had a hand in nine of the rejections, including four solo stops. Megan O'Hara also assisted on five blocks, while Riley Garrison played a role in four.
 
With the victory, Christopher Newport improves to 19-3 on the season, including 5-0 in league action. The setback drops Mary Washington to 11-8 overall and 3-2 in CAC play.
 
Along with the work on the defensive end, O'Hara clocked eight kills on 25 swings, while Newsome Crofford, and Garrison all had six blasts apiece. Additionally, Abby Oren knocked down seven kills and contributed a pair of blocks, while Ashley Burgess helped feed the attack with 17 assists.
 
Christopher Newport also did an excellent job holding the Eagles in-check at the service line. Mary Washington entered the match ranked among the national leaders with a 2.3 aces-per-set average. Quieting the attack, CNU held the opposition to just six winners during the match as Lucernoni, Crofford, and Piper helped blanket the court. Meanwhile, Tiaralyn McBride whistled an ace for the Captains.
 
The win marked the second of the year for Christopher Newport against a team coming off of an Elite Eight appearance. Along with the Eagles, who reached the final site of the NCAA Championships last year, CNU also posted a five-set triumph against Eastern on September 16. EU also advanced to the Elite Eight in 2016.
 
Christopher Newport will return to action on October 18 when the Captains kick off a three-game home stand with a 7 p.m. bout against St. Mary's (Md.).
 
---CNU---