NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Washington and Lee volleyball team opened play in the Christopher Newport Tournament Friday with a pair of victories. The Generals downed Virginia Wesleyan in the opener 30-21, 30-28, 30-14, before defeating Nazareth 30-27, 33-31, 30-26, in their second contest.

In the victory over the Marlins (14-11), the Blue and White were paced by junior rightside Jessica Ulrich's (Gettysburg, Pa./Gettysburg) 10 kills, 12 digs, and two service aces, while junior outside hitter Laura Maurer (Sparta, N.J./Pope John XXIII) notched 17 kills and 17 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Phillips (Tampa, Fla./Tampa Prep) recorded 10 kills and six digs, while sophomore setter Kristi Stevens (Overland Park, Kan./Shawnee Mission So.) chipped in 10 digs and 22 assists. Senior setter Lauren Rudolph (Ft. Wayne, Ind./Concordia Lutheran) tallied nine digs and 22 assists.

In the win over Nazareth (20-5), the Generals were led by Stevens' 24 assists and a W&L season high of 24 digs, while Phillips amassed 16 kills and seven digs. Ulrich added 12 kills and 11 digs, while Maurer posted nine kills and 13 digs. Maurer now leads the team with 240 kills and 236 digs and is now the seventh player in program history with 1,007 career kills.

Washington and Lee (17-5) returns to action on Saturday for the second day of the Christopher Newport Tournament. The Generals take on Elizabethtown at 1:00 pm.

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