The Christopher Newport University (CNU) women’s volleyball team battled through a demanding weekend slate, opening with a dominant sweep over Haverford College, falling in three competitive sets to undefeated Virginia Wesleyan University and closing strong with another sweep against Regent University.
The Captains finished the weekend 2-1, moving forward with valuable lessons and growing confidence ahead of a challenging stretch of matches.
Friday Night: CNU Opens the Weekend with a Sweep Over Haverford
The Captains began the weekend in commanding fashion, defeating Haverford College 3-0 on Friday night. After a slow start that saw them trail 4-2 early in the first set, CNU settled into rhythm with a series of well-timed serves and quick offensive adjustments, taking the lead at 7-6 and eventually closing the set on a service ace.
Head coach Lindsay Birch credited her team’s adaptability and focus. “The match started how we expected, back and forth, but once we got into a rhythm, everything clicked,” Birch said.
The Captains’ serve-receive and out-of-system play showed improvement, and despite a few early service errors, CNU’s aggression at the net dictated the flow of the match.
The second set followed a similar pattern. After falling behind 7-2, Birch called a timeout and urged her players to take it one point at a time. The team responded with a steady rally and took control to win the frame 25-20.
By the third set, CNU was firing on all cylinders, jumping out to a commanding 17-6 lead and finishing the match 25-15. Middle blocker Alyssa Dozier led by example with six kills and strong blocking. She emphasized the importance of communication and celebrating every point.
“Energy is half the battle. We remind ourselves to celebrate each point and stay positive,” Dozier said.
Saturday Morning: Captains Fall to Undefeated Virginia Wesleyan
Saturday’s opener pitted the Captains against a Virginia Wesleyan squad that entered at 14-0.
Despite moments of brilliance, CNU was unable to overcome the Marlins’ pace and precision, dropping the match 0-3.
CNU struggled to find consistency early, calling timeouts at 10-5 and 16-9 in the opening set before falling 25-17. The Marlins’ offense, led by a standout slide attack from their No. 14, kept the Captains on their heels.
The second set mirrored the first, with VWU controlling momentum from the start and capitalizing on CNU errors.
The third set was the most competitive, with CNU battling back to tie the score at 25-25 before eventually falling 30-28. Although the Captains could not complete the comeback, the team showed grit and improved ball control as the match progressed.
“VWU was a tough opponent who challenged us in new ways,” Birch said afterward. “The message after that match was to move forward quickly and focus on finishing the weekend
strong.”
Saturday Afternoon: CNU Rebounds with Sweep of Regent
The Captains responded exactly as their coach hoped, delivering a dominant 3-0 victory over Regent University in their final match of the weekend. From the opening serve, CNU controlled every aspect of the game, jumping out to an 8-1 run before Regent called its first timeout.
The Captains cruised to a 25-9 first-set win and followed with an even sharper performance in the second set, winning 25-7 without a single attack error. Birch praised the team’s execution.
“I’m not surprised we had zero attack errors in that set. Everything was clicking, and it was great to see our underclassmen gain experience and understand what CNU volleyball is all about,” she said.
The third set was tighter, with Regent pulling within three points late, but CNU held firm to secure the 25-19 win and complete the sweep. The Captains’ balance and energy were evident throughout the match, showcasing the team’s ability to reset quickly and perform under pressure.
Looking Ahead
Coach Birch emphasized that every match, win or loss, contributes to the team’s growth. “There is always room for improvement, and we’ll get back to work this week,” she said.
The Captains now turn their attention to their next major test: a matchup against nationally ranked Washington and Lee. “They’re a great team and a great matchup for us. We’ll be ready,” Birch said.
With two sweeps in three matches, the Captains leave the weekend with renewed confidence, a clearer sense of their strengths, and motivation to continue climbing as the season unfolds.
