At Christopher Newport University (CNU), the women’s volleyball team faced a demanding three-match weekend inside the Freeman Center.
The Captains opened strong with sweeps over UC Santa Cruz and the University of Mary Washington (UMW) before falling to Salisbury University in a five-set battle Saturday night.
Captains Sweep UC Santa Cruz to Open Weekend
CNU set the tone early with a dominant three-set win (25–22, 25–20, 25–20) over UC Santa Cruz on Friday.
Junior outside hitter Maddie Hanes led the way with 14 kills and a .419 hitting percentage, while Samantha Dorn anchored the back row with 13 digs.
The Captains’ balanced offense and net presence were key, as Simone Schaefer and Alyssa Dozier combined for 10 total blocks.
The team’s collective energy and precise execution allowed them to control the pace throughout, improving their record to 15–6 on the season.
Early Saturday Sweep Against UMW
The Captains carried their momentum into Saturday morning, taking down conference rival UMW in straight sets (25–15, 25–18, 25–16).
The CNU defense was airtight, holding the Eagles to a .103 hitting percentage and tallying 8 total team blocks.
Hanes added 12 more kills, while Schaefer distributed 33 assists and chipped in 8 digs. Fielding Croft and Emmy Carpenedo kept the defensive energy high, combining for 18 digs.
The Captains’ rhythm on offense, highlighted by a 75 percent sideout rate in the second set, left little room for UMW to respond.
Salisbury Edges Out CNU in Late-Night Marathon
The nightcap against Salisbury turned into a test of stamina and heart. The Captains fell 3–2 (21–25, 25–21, 22–25, 25–19, 8–15) despite a determined effort.
Hanes capped her stellar weekend with 20 kills, while Croft added 15 digs and five blocks.
CNU out-blocked Salisbury 9–8 and recorded 71 total kills, but the Sea Gulls’ late fifth-set push proved to be the difference.
The match featured 29 ties and 13 lead changes, keeping the Freeman Center crowd on edge until the final point.
Coach Birch Praises Team’s Heart
After the tripleheader, Head Coach Lindsay Birch shared her pride in her team’s resilience and competitive spirit.
“I’m proud of how hard they competed and the heart they showed,” Birch said. “We don’t overcommunicate in the service aspect, but those moments with back-to-back aces from players like Fielding Croft and Samantha Dorn showed their aggressiveness and confidence.”
Birch also spoke about adjustments looking ahead, especially if a rematch with Salisbury arises later in the season.
“If there’s a next time, both teams will make adjustments, but this team will be ready,” she said. “We’re thankful for our fans and their support through this stretch.”
Looking Ahead
CNU now sits at 16–7 overall heading into the latter part of the schedule. The Captains will return home for another major test on Nov. 1, when they host No. 18 Washington and Lee University (W&L) in what is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated matches of the season.
With their depth, grit, and unwavering energy, the Captains continue to prove that they can sail through adversity and remain firmly in the race for the conference title.
