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FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- Facing off against nationally-ranked Mary Washington in the Capital Athletic Conference Championship for the third consecutive season, the 23rd-ranked Christopher Newport women's tennis team dropped a 5-1 decision as the Eagles secured their 14th straight conference title.

The Captains picked up a team point with a win at No. 2 doubles, behind rookie Johanna Ranta-aho and junior Kate Huck, but a hotly-contested battle at No. 3 doubles swung momentum in favor of the home team as they surged to the win in singles play. 

With the loss, CNU falls to 14-7 overall this season while the Eagles improve to 19-5 and secure the league's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Women's Tennis Team Championships. The rest of the field for the team tournament will be announced on May 8, while the individual fields for singles and doubles will be announced on May 10. 

The teams traded points to start the match, as the hosts earned the win at No. 1 doubles before Ranta-aho and Huck cruised to a win over Ashley Barrow and Rachel Summers at No. 2. The Captains' pairing has won, 8-3, and improved to 11-2 together over their last 13 matches, dating back to March 7. 

The No. 3 doubles bout tipped the momentum in favor of the Eagles, as Caroline Mosberg and Danielle Mirabella edged out CNU's veteran pairing of Katie Carlson and Emily Morgan. Morgan and Carlson faced defeat early, falling behind in the match, 7-4, but rallied to pick up three straight wins, tying the match at seven games apiece. Mosberg and Mirabella collected themselves though and captured the next two wins to pick up a 9-7 win and give the Eagles a 2-1 lead heading into singles play. 

Claire Dockrill had the best showing for CNU in singles play, beating Hannah Jabusch in the first set at No. 5 singles, but her match would go unfinished in the second. Ranta-aho was also leading in her second set after dropping the first to Taylor Diffley. The Eagles clinched the team victory with wins, in order, at No. 4, 6, and 3.

CNU, under the direction of coach Eric Christiansen, has reached the CAC Championship in three out of four years since joining the league. The Captains have moved up in the rankings to unprecedented heights over the last two seasons, including a program-best No. 23 national ranking this year.