The Christopher Newport women’s tennis team delivered a dominant performance on Saturday, securing back-to-back 6-1 victories over Virginia Wesleyan and North Carolina Wesleyan at the James River Country Club. The doubleheader sweep improved the Captains to 6-7 on the season and marked a strong response following recent losses against nationally competitive programs.
First Match: Commanding the Crosstown Rival
Christopher Newport opened the day with authority against Virginia Wesleyan, continuing its dominance in the series. The Captains swept all three doubles matches to immediately seize momentum, highlighted by a gritty 7-6 victory at No. 3 doubles from Erin Gross and Samantha Robertson.
That early energy carried into singles play, where CNU claimed five of six matches in straight sets. Kylie Schaefer set the tone at the top line, surrendering just one game in a 6-0, 6-1 victory. Kendal Chang followed with a decisive 6-1, 6-2 win at No. 2, showcasing confidence and control throughout the match.
Chang emphasized the importance of mindset following the doubles sweep. She explained that she approaches singles as if the team is down 0-1 in order to stay aggressive and build confidence. She also noted that trusting her strokes and focusing on her own style of play made a significant difference compared to previous matches.
Across the lineup, the consistency was undeniable. Samantha Robertson, Lindsey Bergelin, and Erin Gross all secured straight-set victories, reinforcing singles play as a cornerstone of the team’s success. The lone loss came at No. 6 singles, but it did little to disrupt the overall dominance as the Captains closed out a 6-1 team victory.
Head coach David Weiner pointed to the team’s resilience as a key takeaway. He noted that the team has been working on how to respond in tough moments and make better decisions when dealing with nerves, which showed improvement in this match.
Second Match: Sustaining Excellence Against N.C. Wesleyan
Just hours later, the Captains returned to the court and delivered another strong performance against North Carolina Wesleyan. Despite dropping one doubles match, CNU secured the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 3, including a 6-4 victory from the pairing of Chang and Schaefer.
Once again, singles play proved to be the defining factor. The Captains swept positions one through five, with Schaefer leading the charge in another dominant outing, winning 6-0, 6-2. Chang, Robertson, Taylor, and Carver followed with convincing victories, each demonstrating control and composure.
The most competitive match came at No. 6 singles, where Sophia Dadley battled through three sets before falling in a narrow tiebreak. Even so, the Captains maintained control of the match, securing a second 6-1 team victory to complete the sweep.
Building Momentum Moving Forward
Saturday’s performance represented more than just two wins. It reflected growing confidence and cohesion for a team that has faced a challenging schedule.
Chang noted that the win helped boost team morale and establish momentum moving forward. That confidence will be critical as the Captains prepare for their upcoming matchup against Mary Washington, a rivalry contest that will test their consistency and composure.
If Saturday’s performances are any indication, Christopher Newport is not just regaining form. The Captains are positioning themselves for a strong push as the season continues.
