NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Haverford College volleyball team (9-3) was swept by Christopher Newport University (8-5) in straight sets on Friday night at The Freeman Center, falling 25-23, 25-19, 25-15. The Captains' offense proved decisive, posting a team hitting percentage of .202 while limiting the Fords to just .009.

Haverford started the first set with intensity, securing the opening two points on a service ace and a kill by Kayla Chu. Early contributions from Elizabeth Cella and Eliana Brown helped the Fords maintain a narrow lead. However, CNU capitalized on a few unforced errors to gradually take a slight advantage. Haverford stayed competitive with timely kills from Izabela Potocnjak and Fiona Moord, tying the score at 23-23 on a kill by Maggie Turner. Ultimately, the Captains closed the set 25-23 with a decisive service ace from Emmy Carpenedo.

The second set saw Haverford assert early control, building an 8-2 lead thanks to strong contributions from Potocnjak and Cella, along with a strong service run from Cameryn DeBlecourt. CNU fought back to even the score at 10-10 before unleashing a 9-3 run, featuring multiple kills from Carpenedo that put the Captains ahead 19-13. Haverford chipped away late with a service ace from Brown—her 100th career ace—and a kill by Cella, but CNU captured the set 25-19.

In the third set, Haverford faced early adversity as CNU opened with a 6-1 lead. Despite early attacking struggles, the Fords responded to end the run with a crafty kill by setter DeBlecourt. The Captains extended their lead to 12-3 before Haverford rattled off a late scoring streak, cutting the deficit to 24-15. Samantha Dorn closed the set with a final kill, sealing the sweep.

Cella led Haverford offensively with eight kills, while Kira Chaney anchored the defense with 19 digs. Chu contributed nine assists and 14 digs, and Brown added four kills and two blocks. For CNU, Carpenedo led the attack with 12 kills on a .400 hitting percentage and added nine digs. Setter Fielding Croft tallied 29 assists with two kills, Alyssa Dozier contributed six kills and three blocks at a .278 clip, and Dorn added six kills and two blocks.

Looking ahead, Haverford will face No. 23 Virginia Wesleyan in its next match on Saturday, September 27, at 11 a.m. from the Freeman Center as the Fords conclude their stint at Christopher Newport with neutral-site action.