NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Closing out a busy week in style, the 24th-ranked Christopher Newport volleyball team extended its winning streak to 10 consecutive matches as the Captains took down Randolph, 3-0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-20), before upending Messiah, 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-16), during a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at the Freeman Center.
During the two matches,
Katie Crofford and
Megan O'Hara both clubbed 14 kills, while
Katie Piper added 11 and a .348 hitting percentage. Meanwhile,
Lauren Tracy contributed 37 assists and 20 digs, including her eighth double-double of the year during the nightcap against Messiah.
Equally effective on the defensive side during the twin bill, Crofford finished with 15 digs and converted all 50 of her reception attempts.
With the two victories, Christopher Newport improves to 15-3 on the season. The setbacks drop Randolph to 5-13 and Messiah to 11-12.
In the opener against Randolph, Crofford kicked off her afternoon with seven kills on only 17 swings. O'Hara also contributed six kills, while
Kellyn DeChirico chipped in with five. Showcasing a well-balanced offensive attack, eight different Captains pounded at least two kills against the WildCats.
Lethal in all facets of the game, Tracy also unloaded four aces against Randolph to go along with 17 assists, while
Sam Plesce stepped up with five blocks, including three solo stops.
Cat Boyle also pocketed 10 digs during the contest, and
Ashley Burgess contributed 15 helpers and an ace.
In the nightcap,
Abby Oren found her groove. The sophomore drilled 10 kills on only 12 swings during a sensational offensive showcase. Piper also added 10 blasts of her own, while O'Hara knocked home eight. Overall, the Captains finished the match with a .343 hitting percentage, marking the squad's finest outing of the season.
On the defensive side, Tracy and
Josie Lucernoni both secured 11 digs, while Crofford grabbed eight. Along the front row, Piper and
Riley Garrison both assisted on a pair of blocks. Meanwhile, on serve-receive, Crofford went 26-for-26, and Lucernoni was perfect on 13 attempts.
Christopher Newport will return to action on Thursday when the Captains travel to Pennsylvania for a 7 p.m. showdown with Penn St. Harrisburg.
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