NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- In the first national rankings released by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) this season, consideration was given to the hot start by Christopher Newport as the Captains were elevated to No. 25 in the nation. The Captains, ranked No. 15 in the D3hoops.com Preseason Top 25, will travel to William Peace University on Wednesday night for a 6:00 p.m. non-conference tip. 

The Captains were receiving votes in the WBCA Preseason Top 25 and, powered by a 4-1 start to the season, moved up to 25th in Tuesday morning's first regular season release of the poll. Amherst held the top spot while second-ranked Tufts and fourth-ranked St. Thomas each garnered first-place votes in the rankings. 

So far this season, the lone blemish on the Captains docket was at nationally-ranked Messiah in the season-opening weekend. The Falcons are now ranked No. 8 in the nation following a 4-0 start and the loss for Christopher Newport was surrounded by impressive wins over TCNJ, N.C. Wesleyan, Washington & Lee, and Bridgewater. The Captains have won three straight heading into Wednesday's trip to Raleigh, N.C. 

Christopher Newport and William Peace will be facing off for the 25th time in the all-time series with the Captains holding a commanding 22-2 advantage in the matchup. The Captains have won 16 straight in the series dating back to the 2005-06 season, including a 91-68 victory last season. 

For fans unable to attend the game in person, a live video webcast and live stats will be available of all the action starting at 6:00 pm. Courtesy of the William Peace Department of athletics, links to both can be found on the women's basketball schedule at CNUsports.com. 

This season, four different Captains have led the team in scoring in five games played, including reigning CAC Player of the Week Natalie Terwilliger. The sophomore forward is one of three players averaging double-figures in the early portion of the season with 10.5 points per game paired with 5.8 rebounds per contest. Sophomore Sondra Fan has led the team in scoring in three of the five games this year and has poured in 11.4 points per game while starting all five games. Freshman Anaya Simmons has also started all five games and is averaging 10.8 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds per game so far. 

Defensively, the Captains continue to frustrate opposing offenses to the tune of 30.0 turnovers forced per game and 16.4 steals per game for the "Captains Chaos" defense. Junior guard Bailey Hodges leads the team with 14 steals while Fan has added nine and Jasmine Norman has eight thefts to her credit. 

William Peace will counter the Captains fast-paced offense with a strong start of their own. The Pacers have a 3-1 overall record with a pair of players averaging 16.5 points per game this season. Lauryn Cross and Mikayla Ray have offered a high-low pairing that has been successful in the early going as Ray is averaging a double-double with 11.0 rebounds per game and Cross has been dangerous from beyond the arc with eight three-pointers coming at a 61.5% clip. As a team, William Peace ranks fourth nationally in blocked shots with 21 for an average of 5.3 per game. 

Following the out of conference action in Raleigh Wednesday, the Captains will return to the capital city of North Carolina on Saturday to take on Meredith College at 3:00 p.m.