Christopher Newport split the second day of the Captains Classic, with a win over Lewis & Clark and a loss to UW-Oshkosh.

Christopher Newport 3, Hollins 0 | (25-18, 25-15, 25-15)

First Set

The Pioneers came back from an early deficit and evened the score at 12. Back-to-back kills from Mackenzie Wright got CNU back out in front, and Megan James followed with two kills and a service ace to swing the momentum to the Captains. James closed out the set too, with back-to-back kills of her own to put CNU up 1-0.

Second Set

A strong CNU attack continued into the second set, with Lainie Putt and Mackenzie Wright getting things started with the set's first two kills. Back-to-back aces from Noelle Starr gave the Captains a lead they wouldn't lose. Freshmen Megan James and Abigail Draper combined for eight kills in the set, including the last two to close out the second set for CNU.

Third Set

The Captains found a rhythm in the third set, with several scoring runs that helped them finish off the sweep. They took the set's first three points, scored five straight to take a 16-10 lead, and seven in a row to win the set and match. Behind all of these runs was stellar defense as Lewis & Clark hit -.100 in the final set with 12 errors.

UW-Oshkosh 3, Christopher Newport 1 | (15-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-27)

First Set

A 9-1 run put the Titans ahead 18-8, and while CNU took four of the next five points, they were unable to overcome the early surge from UW-Oshkosh. 

Second Set

Three straight aces helped the Captains come back from trailing 4-0 to start. The Titans held a slim lead most of the set, but the Captains got closest to evening the score when back-to-back UW-Oshkosh errors made the score 22-20. However, two errors from CNU brought up set point, and UW-Oshkosh took a 2-0 lead in the match.

Third Set

The Captains were able to clean up their attack in the third set and hit a match-best .263. Mackenzie Wright contributed four kills in the third as part of a team-leading 11 kill effort. The two sides were tied at 19, but CNU took six of the last ten points to take the third set.

Fourth Set

After several ties and lead changes, the two sides were all square at 24-24. A kill for UW-Oshkosh brought up the first match point, but an ensuing service error tied the set again. The Captains couldn't take advantage, as an error of their own and a kill for the Titians closed out the set and match.

News & Notes

• Freshman Megan James led the Captains in kills in the first match with a career-best 13, the third time in four matches she's paced CNU.
• Mackenzie Wright led the Captains with 11 kills in the second match, her highest mark of the young season. She also led the team with four blocks in the same match.
• Julia Gleason finished with a career high 30 assists in the win over Lewis & Clark
• In the win over Lewis & Clark, the Captains were not blocked on any of their attacks.

All Tournament Team

Lily Podolan - Juniata
Kiona Sky Rousset-Hernandez - Juniata
Riley Kindt - Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Abby Fregien - Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Noelle Starr - Christopher Newport
Megan James - Christopher Newport
Kelsie Nakashima - Lewis & Clark
Sophia Maurer - Hollins

MVP - Mackenzie Coley - Juniata

Next Up

Christopher Newport will play their first midweek game of the season as they host Virginia Wesleyan on Wednesday. The match is set for 6:00pm at the Freeman Center and can be streamed live at CNUSports.com/watch