LEXINGTON, Va. - The Washington and Lee University women's volleyball team fell to Christopher Newport University in four sets on Saturday afternoon inside Holekamp Gym. Following the match, the team honored their six senior members.
Vivi Vasquez, Katie Stone, Lexie Stone, Grace Mitchener, Stephanie Lynch and Turi Trainor were honored following the match for their hard work and dedication over there four seasons in Lexington. As a group, the senior class has compiled a 95-27 overall record with a 35-8 record in ODAC play while securing three ODAC Championships and the program's first regional championship in 2024.
HOW IT HAPPENED (CNU, 3-1 | 25-18, 23-25, 25-16, 25-22)
- W&L (15-3) jumped out to an early 6-2 lead in the first set behind kills from Claire Hargett, Stephanie Lynch and Grace Mitchener, as well as a block from Lynch and Emma Mulvaney. The Captains (15-6) responded with a 6-1 run to take a one-point advantage before the teams traded points, with neither side leading by more than one. After two straight points from CNU put the Captains in front, 15-14, back-to-back kills from Ava Fugitt fueled a 6-0 run that gave W&L a 20-15 advantage. The Blue and White closed the set on a 5-1 run, which featured two kills from Cara Hamil and one each from Mitchener, Mulvaney and Hargett, to claim the opening frame, 25-18.
- The Generals jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the second set, highlighted by four kills from Mitchener and one from Hargett. Kills from Fugitt and Sienna Nichoson kept W&L in front, 8-4, before the teams traded points throughout the middle of the frame. Mulvaney kick-started a 4-1 run with a kill, while Hargett added another to give the Generals a 19-14 advantage. CNU battled back with a 7-2 run to even the score at 21 before closing the frame on a 4-1 scoring stretch to take the second set, 25-23.
- The Captains came out swinging in the third set, registering three kills and a service ace from Simara Alexander to take a 4-2 lead. The teams traded points and the lead before a 4-1 run from CNU put the Captains in front, 12-10. CNU extended its advantage to 19-13 following a 6-1 scoring stretch before back-to-back kills from Lynch and Hargett slowed the momentum. The Captains closed the third set on a 6-1 run, which featured five kills and a block, to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
- CNU jumped out to a 5-3 lead in the fourth set before Mitchener and Fugitt teamed up for a block to cut the deficit to one. Following a service error and a kill from Mulvaney, the Captains used a 5-1 run to take an 11-7 advantage. After back-and-forth action with CNU maintaining a slight lead, a kill and service ace from Mulvaney fueled a 3-1 run that pulled the Generals within one. Another 4-1 run from the Captains extended their lead to 23-19 before a service error and an ace from Mitchener kept the Generals alive. However, kills from Jasmine Williams and Samantha Dorn secured the four-set victory for CNU.
TOP PERFORMERS
- Avery Hanly posted a match-high 18 kills on 47 attempts for a .298 hitting percentage. Simara Alexander (13), Alli Pratt (12) and Carley Coghill (11) also recorded double-digit kills for the Captains. Grace Mitchener led the Generals with 16 kills on 67 attempts for a .149 hitting percentage, while Emma Mulvaney (11) and Claire Hargett (10) also reached double figures.
- Sienna Nichoson dished out a match-high 42 assists on Saturday while adding 11 digs. Fielding Croft led the Captains with 33 assists, while Lauren Hobbs added 29.
- Hanly led the match with three service aces, while Alexander added two. Mitchener, Mulvaney, Emily Schellenberg and Hargett each recorded one service ace for the Blue and White.
- Vivi Vasquez led all players with 28 digs, while Mitchener (17), Mulvaney (17) and Nichoson (11) each reached double figures in the loss. Hanly led CNU with 24 digs, while five other Captains reached double figures.
- Jasmine Williams led all players with five block assists, while Pratt added three for CNU. Mitchener led W&L with two block assists and one solo block, while Mulvaney added two block assists.
W&L GAME NOTES
- The Generals fell to 15-3 on the season while dropping their third consecutive match to the Captains.
- W&L recorded 55 kills on 192 swigns with 14 errors for a .214 hitting percentage including a .306 clip in the first set. They recorded four aces, five blocks, 55 assists and 91 digs in the loss.
TOP TEN UPDATES
- Vivi Vasquez moved up to No. 2 all-time in ODAC history in career digs with her 28 this afternoon. She moved past Twyla Sessor (Emory & Henry) with 1,984, only 111 shy of breaking Samantha Sallade's (Randolph-Macon) record of 2,095.
- Mitchener moved up to No. 3 all-time in career attack attempts, moving past Emily Wolfing '05 with 3,920.
UP NEXT
- The Generals return to conference play on Tuesday, Oct. 20 as they travel to Hollins University for a 7 p.m. match.
Nestled in the mountains of Virginia, Washington and Lee University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Founded in 1749, W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and a top-ranked liberal arts university. With over 500 student-athletes in 24 varsity sports, the Generals have celebrated over 265 conference championships. Learn more about the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com or on social media at @WLUGenerals.
