NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The 23rd-ranked Christopher Newport volleyball team split its first two matches of the year as the Captains took down Susquehanna, 3-2 (25-20, 19-25, 19-25, 25-17, 15-8), before falling to Muhlenberg, 3-0 (25-18, 27-25, 25-21), on Friday during the first day of the Captains Classic at the Freeman Center.
 
In the two matches, Riley Garrison drilled 16 kills and added 12 blocks, while Megan O'Hara also had 16 blasts to go along with eight rejections. Flashing a well-balanced attack, both Katie Piper and Mackenzie Wright contributed 13 kills apiece, while Maddie Carter had 10.
                               
Along with the standouts along the net, Hope Webb dished out 42 assists and popped a pair of aces, while Josie Lucernoni anchored the back row with 39 digs. Katie Crofford also added 24 digs and continued her strong play on serve-receive while converting 57 of her 59 reception attempts during the doubleheader.
 
In the opener, the Captains overcame a two-sets-to-one deficit to upend Susquehanna. Helping lead the comeback bid, Webb contributed a double-double with 26 assists and 14 digs. Ashley Burgess also dished out 12 helpers, while Lucernoni added 21 digs on the back row. Up front, O'Hara drilled the River Hawks with a team-high 10 kills, and Piper added nine. Garrison also contributed eight blasts and seven blocks during a well-rounded showcase.
 
In the nightcap, Lucernoni starred for the Captains with 18 digs in just three sets of work against Muhlenberg. Crofford also collected 14, and Webb added seven to go along with 16 assists. Burgess stuffed the stat sheet as well with 12 assists, five digs, and a pair of aces.
 
Up front, Garrison wrapped up a busy day with eight kills and five blocks against the Mules, while O'Hara and Carter had six daggers apiece.
 
Christopher Newport will return to action on Saturday with another doubleheader. The squad will face Keystone at noon before battling No. 24 Stevenson in a nationally-ranked showdown at 4 p.m.
 
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