Captain volleyball earns pair of league victories over Bishops

Newport News, VA - In a match-up of USA South unbeatens, Christopher Newport erased a 23-20 deficit in the first set of game one to steal a 25-23 victory over NC Wesleyan, and the Captains used that momentum to secure a pair of league victories over the Bishops on Tuesday night in Newport News. CNU (19-3, 12-0 USAC) went on to tally 25-20 and 25-18 wins in the opening match before securing a second sweep in the nightcap. NCWC is now 12-9 overall, 8-2 in USAC play.

In the opener, Wesleyan was on the verge of 1-0 lead before the Captains rallied for five straight points and a 25-23 victory. Down 23-22, CNU freshman Kara Elder recorded three straight kills to complete the come-from-behind win and give the Captains a huge momentum swing.

CNU went on to score five of the final seven points in the second set for a 25-20 win, while the third set saw the Bishops record a negative hitting percentage as a team.

CNU's Caitlyn Jansen tallied a match-high 16 kills, while Elder finished with 14 kills and 15 digs.

For Wesleyan, Brittany Insley and Meredith Smith had nine kills apiece. Mackenzie Tingle dished out 26 assists, and Kelly George led the defensive effort with 12 digs.

In the nightcap, the Bishops could never quite get on track as they recorded a .026 hitting percentage in the match. Wesleyan again came close to a 1-0 match lead, but down 23-21 in the first set, the Bishops watched as the Captains scored the final two points on a kill by Cory Harris and an NCWC attack error. CNU then turned in 25-16 and 25-11 wins in sets two and three to secure the sweep.

CNU's Elder led all players with 11 kills, while Insley and Leslie Hassell had six kills apiece for NCWC. Defensively, George amassed a match-high 18 digs.

The Bishops return to action on Friday at home when they host non-conference foe Guilford College. Game time is slated for 6:30 p.m. in Everett Gymnasium.

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