NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Playing at the James River Country Club indoor courts, the 24th-ranked Christopher Newport women's tennis team improved to 5-4 with a convincing win over Centre College, 7-2. The Captains won two of three doubles matchups and picked up five of the six wins in singles play. 

Olivia Reed had a strong performance to help lead the way, pairing with Johanna Ranta-aho for the win at 1 doubles and followed with a strong win at No. 3 singles. Her victory over Abigail Kent in individual play clinched the match for the Captains with a 6-3, 6-2 final score. 

Reed and Ranta-aho won, 8-6, against Neha Rao and Hannah Doherty. The Captains took a 2-0 lead with the win at No. 2, as Amanda Yermal and Colette Gilbert captured an 8-5 win over Kent and Caroline Stallings. 

CNU carried a 2-1 lead into singles play where they quickly sealed the team victory with straight set wins at 1, 2, and 3. The Captains went on to win at 4 and 5 to secure the 7-2 victory. 

Ranta-aho won against Katharine Sherman (6-4, 6-0) and Kara Ferner dropped Rao (6-3, 6-4) to set up the match-clinching victory from Reed. 

Rounding out the win, Reagan Delp won at No. 5 over Hannah Doherty (6-1, 6-4) and Yermal staved off multiple match point opportunities from her opponent before clinching a 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (6) win at No. 4 singles. 

The Captains will now turn to conference play next weekend as they host Penn State Harrisburg and York (Pa.) on March 23.