SANTA CRUZ, Ca. - Christopher Newport came back from a two set deficit to win the final three sets of Sunday's (Oct. 8) match to take down UC Santa Cruz and win their 11th match in a row.

First Set (UC Santa Cruz 25-23)

Two kills from Alyssa Dozier helped the Captains even the score at 16, and two kills from Samantha Dorn helped CNU take a 22-21 lead late in the first set. But UC Santa Cruz managed to score the final three points of the set and took an early lead.

Second Set (UC Santa Cruz 25-23)

Six straight CNU points saw the Captains jump ahead 15-13. The score remained close though the second set, and kills from Macy Burk and Simara Alexander helped the Captains tie the score at 23. But similar to the first set, UC Santa Cruz put two kills together to steal the second set and move ahead 2-0 in the match.

Third Set (Captains 25-14)

The Captains quickly took control of the third set as they seized a 9-3 lead to start out the set. With a 20-14 lead, Samantha Dorn followed a kill with back-to-back aces. Kyla McIntyre added her third kill of the set before Dorn served a third ace to win the third set for the Captains.

Fourth Set (Captains 25-20)

The Captains once again jumped out to a 9-3 lead in the fourth set. UC Santa Cruz found a way back in and threatened to take the lead when they tied the score at 19, but three aces from Noelle Starr and two kills from Kyla McIntyre combined for five straight points to bring up set point. Sammy Carroll's kill won the fourth set for CNU and forced a deciding fifth set.

Fifth Set (Captains 15-8)

The Captains won four straight points out of the gate with two aces from Sammy Carroll to take control of the fifth set. Megan James served back-to-back aces as part of four straight points to put CNU up 12-6, and kills from Dorn and James helped the Captains close out the fifth set and a remarkable comeback win.

News & Notes

• The win in the 11th in a row for Christopher Newport and their longest winning streak since they won 14 straight in 2019
• The Captains totaled 55 assists and 15 service aces; both are the second most this season for CNU
• Sammy Carroll posted a double double with 46 assists and 11 digs.

Next Up

Christopher Newport returns home on Friday (Oct. 13) for their first home match in over a month when they host St. Lawrence at the Freeman Center.