Christopher Newport dropped the first of their three matches in the Susquehanna Invitational, falling to Ithaca in five sets.

First Set (Captains 28-26)

The Captains started out the match in front with help from Rebecca Frey's three service aces. Mackenzie Wright added her third kill of the set to put CNU up 24-17 and reach set point, but Ithaca came all the way back to tie the score at 24 and take the lead. Macy Burk stopped the Bombers' run to tie the set at 25, and a Susquehanna attack missed the mark helping the Captains take back the lead. After the Bombers tied it, a service error put the Captains in front and Megan James' ace won a wild first set for CNU.

Second Set (Ithaca 25-21)

The two sides went point-for-point for most of the second set until the score was tied at 21-21. The Bombers broke through the deadlock to take the next four points and the second set.

Third Set (Captains 25-23)

The third set was just as close as the second, but this time, it was the Captains that broke through. The third of Mackenzie Wright's four kills in the second set tied the score at 22. Maddie Carter's kill put the Captains in the lead, and an attacking error from Ithaca brought up set point. Wright's fourth kill won the third set and put CNU up 2-1 in the match.

Fourth Set (Ithaca 25-13)

The Captains struggled to get anything going in the fourth set as Ithaca took 20 of the first 24 points and quickly clinched the fourth set to force the fifth set.

Fifth Set (Ithaca 15-11)

The Captains demonstrated a balanced attack with Wright, Carter, and Megan James each registering multiple kills in the fifth set. But Ithaca kept momentum from the fourth set to rally in the latter half of the fifth set, scoring five of the last eight points to take the set and match.

News & Notes

• Mackenzie Wright tied for the Captains' lead with 14 kills and hit her season-best .444
• Megan James led CNU in points with 14 kills and two aces for a total of 16.
• Rebecca Frey finished the match with 23 digs, her second highest total of the season.

Next Up

Christopher Newport will play two matches on Saturday to close out the Susquehanna Invitational. They'll face #14 Johns Hopkins at 1:00pm before facing Susquehanna at 3:00pm.