HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Christopher Newport University took a set from the three-time defending national champion, which until last week had won 103 consecutive matches, but No. 4 Juniata College held on to win 3-1 (25-22, 25-14, 23-25, 25-13) Friday night in Huntingdon, Pa.
 
In their opening match of the Juniata College Asics Invitational, the Captains (6-4) jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first set. The Eagles (9-1) bounced back, and the set was tied 20-20.  Juniata scored five of the final seven points to win the first.
 
The Eagles led the second set from the first point on, but the Captains avoided a sweep by taking the third. It was tied 23-23, but CNU got the win on a kill by freshman Simone Schaefer and a service ace by Avery Hanly.
 
Juniata used a 6-0 run to take a 9-3 lead and never trailed in the fourth set.
 
Alyssa Dozier led the Captains with nine kills (.250) and three blocks. Freshman Emmy Carpenedo had a career-high seven kills. Simara Alexander also had seven kills along with two services aces. Freshman Lauren Hobbs had 18 assists and Fielding Croft added 12 along with two service aces.

Christopher Newport will return to action on Saturday with a pair of matches. CNU will take on No. 9 Johns Hopkins at 1:00 p.m. before facing Nazareth at 3:00 p.m. to close out the Asics Invitational appearance.