NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The 24th-ranked Christopher Newport volleyball team split a pair of matches on the final day of the CNU Invitational as the Captains topped Roger Williams, 3-0 (25-12, 25-14, 25-12), before falling to Wesleyan, 3-2 (25-22, 20-25, 20-25, 25-18, 16-14), on Saturday afternoon at the Freeman Center.
 
For their efforts during the two-day invitational, Katelyn Newsome and Abby Oren both secured a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Oren finished with a team-high 38 kills while averaging 2.46 digs-per-set during CNU's three matches. Meanwhile, Newsome dropped in 32 kills and hit a whopping .456 during the tournament. She also registered 13 rejections.
 
On Saturday, Oren paced CNU with 25 kills and chipped in with her third double-double of the year with 14 kills and 13 digs in the five-set marathon against Wesleyan. Newsome also starred on Saturday with 21 kills and a .500 hitting percentage, while Riley Garrison was a force along the net with 11 blocks. The sophomore currently ranks among the top-20 nationally with a 1.18 blocks-per-set average this season.
 
Along with the front-row standouts, Josie Lucernoni collected 35 digs and converted 28 of her 29 reception attempts on Saturday. Oren also starred on serve-receive, posting a pristine 41-for-41 effort, including 30 successful conversions in the nightcap against the Cardinals.
 
With the split, Christopher Newport now stands at 12-3 on the season. On the other side, Roger Williams leaves Newport News with a 7-6 ledger, while Wesleyan is 9-1.
 
In the opener on Saturday, the Captains jumped on Roger Williams early and rolled to the straight-set victory. Newsome drilled 11 kills on only 16 swings for a .625 hitting percentage. Oren also contributed 11 blasts against the Hawks, while Garrison added six to go along with a match-high four blocks. Kellyn DeChirico also assisted on three rejections during the bout.
 
Helping feed the attack, Tylar McGill contributed a team-high 20 assists, while Ashley Burgess added 14. McGill and Tiaralyn McBride also laced three aces apiece, and Lucernoni scooped up 11 digs.
 
In the nightcap against Wesleyan, CNU won two of the first three sets, but the Cardinals responded and stole the final two frames to secure the victory. In addition to Oren's double-double, Katie Crofford added her fourth of the year with 12 kills and a dozen digs. Tylar McGill came through with 22 assists and 10 digs as well.
 
Continuing her impressive run during the tournament, Newsome chipped in with 10 kills and picked up five blocks to help lead a ferocious effort along the front row. Along with the senior's work, Garrison came through with seven blocks, while Oren and Megan O'Hara helped out on five rejections apiece.
 
Equally effective on the back row, Lucernoni came through with 24 digs. Crofford continued to shine on serve-receive as well, converting 48 of her 49 reception attempts.
 
Rounding out the statistical leaders, Burgess paced the team with a career-high 26 assists while also chipping in with eight digs and a pair of aces.
 
Along with Newsome and Oren, five other standouts earned spots on the All-Tournament Team. Roger Williams was represented by Lara Lolacono, while Juniata's Marybeth Weihbrecht and Maria Gonsar joined Wesleyan's Phia Belizzi and Stasie Litinsky on the decorated squad.
 
Christopher Newport will return to action on Tuesday when the Captains host Virginia Wesleyan in a non-conference bout at 7:00 p.m.
 
---CNU---