FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- Christopher Newport University had its most efficient match of the season Wednesday night in a 3-0 win (25-13, 25-18, 25-12) over Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. The Captains (10-6) had a hitting percentage of .430, its best since the 2015 season. CNU committed a season-low eight errors, none coming in the clinching third set.

Alyssa Dozier (11) and Emmy Carpenedo (10) combined for 21 of the Captains' 42 kills. Fielding Croft had 33 assists (11 per set) and three kills, which matched her career high.

In the opening set, a 9-0 run sparked by Maddie Hanes' three service aces gave the Captains an 18-6 lead. Another ace by Carpenedo came at set point, giving the Captains a 25-13 win.

With only two attack errors, CNU had a .500 hitting percentage in the first set. Dozier had four of the team's 12 kills.

In the second set, the Captains took the lead for good at 10-9 on a kill by Simara Alexander. The score was still tight at 19-17, but CNU closed by winning six of the final seven points, the clincher on a kill by Carpenedo.

The Captains never trailed in the third set and clinched the win on a kill by freshman Simone Schaefer.  

Next for the Captains is a Saturday trip to Lexington for matches against Averett University at 1:30 p.m. and No. 11 Washington and Lee at 4 p.m.

CNU will be looking for its 24^th consecutive win over the Cougars, who are 2-10 going into Friday night's match at Bridgewater College. The Captains lead the series 48-35.

CNU has a 23-17 advantage against Washington and Lee (13-2) but lost twice to the Generals last season. W&L's two losses came to Lynchburg (3-2) and Bridgewater College (3-0), both in the road.