Volleyball Set to Host the 2021 Captains Classic

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- For the first time in well over a year, the Christopher Newport Volleyball team returns to the Freeman Center for a home match. The Captains will actually host four matches this weekend in the 2021 Captains Classic, which takes place on September 3rd and 4th.

Match Details

The Captains open up their Captains Classic slate on Friday at 3:00pm against Cabrini followed by a 7:30pm tilt with Susquehanna. On Saturday, CNU faces Clarkson at noon and squares off against Illinois Wesleyan at 2:00pm. All of the Captains' matches will be streamed on CNU All Access.

Last Time Out

CNU opened their season on Wednesday night with a quick trip across the river to Virginia Wesleyan. CNU took the first set 25-20 behind four kills from Kyla McIntyre and two service aces from Macy Burk, but VWU won the following three sets to prevail in the season opener, 3-1. Wright came one klll shy of her career high with 13 on the night while senior Maddie Carter matched her own career best, adding seven kills to CNU's effort. McIntyre turned in a strong showing in her collegiate debut with 11 kills. Also in her collegiate debut, freshman Noelle Starr led the team with 11 digs. Sammy Carroll contributed 40 assists along with 8 digs and two kills.

By The Numbers

1230

CNU setter Sammy Carroll finished 2019 with 1230 assists, the ninth highest season total in Captains history, and is the most of any setter in the 2021 Captains Classic. Isabelle of Clarkson is the only other setter in the Classic who had over 1000 assists in the 2019 season.

Series History

Christopher Newport has won all three of their previous meetings with Cabrini. They last met in 2019 with the Captains blanking the Cavaliers 3-0. CNU is also 3-0 all-time against Susquehanna, last meeting in the 2018 Captains Classic. Saturday will be the Captains' first matchup with both Clarkson and Illinois Wesleyan.

Scouting the Cavaliers

Cabrini was picked second in the Atlantic East Conference preseason poll, receiving one first-place vote. They return three seniors, including Gina Custer and Hannah Dalton who were named all-conference in 2019. The Cavaliers went 14-14 that year, but did finish 4-2 in conference play. The will open their season with Friday's match against CNU.

Scouting the River Hawks

Susquehanna opened the season ranked #24 in the AVCA Top 25. The River Hawks are coming off a historic 2019 campaign, setting a program record with 32 wins. They finished 32-7 in 2019 and made the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The 2019 season was Susquehanna's first 30-win season since 2016. Their second match in their season opener will be on Friday against Illinois Wesleyan before facing CNU

Scouting the Golden Knights

Clarkson started their 2021 season off on the right foot with a four-set win on Wednesday over SUNY Potsdam. The Golden Knights have made the NCAA quarterfinals five of the last eight seasons, including in 2019. They return seven athletes from that 2019 squad, including a graduate student and three seniors. Junior returner Kristin Werdine led the Liberty League with 76 service aces in her freshman campaign.

Scouting the Titans

Illinois Wesleyan kicked off their season with a sweep of Illinois College on Wednesday. The 2021 squad features three All-CCIW selections from 2019, including first-team selection setter Madi Corey. The senior setter posted 19 assists and 10 digs in the season-opening win and the Titans look to improve on the 9-20 record in 2019.

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