MIDDLETOWN, Pa. -- The 23rd-ranked Christopher Newport volleyball team won its 11th straight match as the Captains upended Penn St. Harrisburg, 3-1 (25-15, 25-19, 23-25, 25-16), during a Capital Athletic Conference tilt on Thursday evening at the Capital Union Building.
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Leading a potent attack,
Mackenzie Wright unloaded 13 kills on just 20 swings for a .550 hitting percentage. Meanwhile,
Katie Piper contributed her sixth double-double of the season with 10 kills and 10 digs. The junior standout also laced three of the team's 10 aces against the Lions.
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Sophomore
Abby Oren also clocked nine kills in just three sets of work during an efficient evening.
Along with the stars up front,
Ashley Burgess handed out 21 assists, marking her second-highest total of the season.
Hope Webb also posted 17 assists, nine digs, and three aces during a well-rounded performance.
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With the victory, Christopher Newport improves to 16-3 overall and 4-0 in league action. The setback drops Penn St. Harrisburg to 9-12 with a 1-3 mark against conference foes.
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In addition to the squad's offensive attack, which finished with a .256 hitting percentage, the Captains once again received huge contributions from the blockers up front.
Riley Garrison registered nine blocks, including a pair of solo stops. Wright,
Megan O'Hara, and
Kellyn DeChirico all played a role in four rejections as well. Overall, Christopher Newport finished with 13 total blocks, which equaled the second-highest total of the season.
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Keeping the court clean on the back end as well,
Josie Lucernoni plucked 10 digs, while
Katie Crofford secured eight. Guided by those efforts, the Captains eventually limited Penn St. Harrisburg to a .050 hitting percentage during the match, including a miniscule -.185 mark during the opening set.
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Christopher Newport will return to action tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. in Washington, D.C. The Captains will open the twin bill against Catholic before battling Lynchburg in a neutral-site contest.
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