Marlins Fall in Three to No. 13 Christopher Newport

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Virginia Wesleyan College volleyball team faced a tough task as No. 13 Christopher Newport University traveled to the south side for a non-conference match, with the Marlins falling to the Captains 25-20, 25-20, 25-20.

The early part of the first set went back and forth with the two teams trading points until Josie Lucernoni stepped to the service line for CNU. Lucernoni won five straight points on serve to push the Captains in front 17-12.

The Marlins cut it to within three, 23-20, on a Doneisha Hall kill, but CNU won the final two points on a kill and service ace to win the first set.

The second set had a similar feel to the first, with a consistent change of points as Dare Wright contributed a kill to cut the CNU lead to 17-16. The Captains got a kill from Maddie McCann on a Hope Webb assist to keep the Marlins from stringing together a series of points. VWC could not do the same to CNU though as Webb stepped to the line and served five-straight points to put CNU up 22-16 and control the set for the Captains.

The Marlins had to rally in the third set if they wanted a chance at a fourth set as CNU raced out to a 21-13 lead. Virginia Wesleyan scored seven of the next nine points to cut the lead to 23-20, taking advantage of several CNU errors.

Virginia Wesleyan looked to take advantage of the momentum and crowd support to cut the lead even more, but a long point was ended on a Hannah Miller block. Miller's block was instrumental in clinching the victory for the Captains as Hope Webb posted a kill on the very next point.

McCann finished with 14 kills for No. 13 Christopher Newport (9-3) while Webb posted 34 assists and Rachel Close tallied 18 digs.

Amber Matalus ended with eight kills for the Marlins as Emilee Pierson contributed 18 assists and Maddie Starr, 17 digs.

Virginia Wesleyan (5-8) travels to Rome, Ga. this weekend for three matches. The Marlins will face Sewanee and Berry on Saturday before taking on Centre College on Sunday.