VIDEO: Summer Coulter Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - The Eagles earned their first sweep victory in over a year, knocking off St. Andrews 5-0 in two matches on Wednesday, Mar. 31.
"We executed well today," says head coach Cat Lind. "We changed our defense a little bit and the girls adapted to coaching but the girls just played today. When we play and communicate and control the things we can, we play well."
Before the first match, the Eagles held their first senior day recognition, honoring seniors Joy Rhodes, Megan Oldenburger, Lauren Williams, Abby Struewing and Summer Coulter.
"These girls are the foundation of the program," says Lind. "I have no idea where we would be without them. They mean everything to me and to this team and it's great that we were able to honor them today."
"This team has meant everything to me," says senior Summer Coulter. "They're like a family. Coming all the way from Texas to here and having this unity is awesome. Every single one of these girls means so much to me and I'm proud of every single one of them."
MATCH ONE: Carson-Newman 5, St. Andrews 0
Carson-Newman allowed one St. Andrews pair to score 10 points in a game en route to a 5-0 sweep.
Lauren Williams and Alanis Mendez got the day started on the right foot at the no. five position for the Eagles, sweeping their opponents 21-6 and 21-8.
The pair of @lewilliams98 and Alanis Mendez give #CNBV an early 1-0 lead, winning in straight sets 21-6 and 21-8 pic.twitter.com/QjWtny7BKG
— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CNathletics) March 31, 2021
Joy Rhodes and Morgan Siwiec earned their first victory of the season, knocking off the Knights 21-6 and 21-8.
Lindsey Geurin and Mia Toribio continued their hot streak, winning the first set 21-7 and then taking a 12-1 lead in set two, winning the game and securing the match for the Eagles 21-3.
Summer Coulter and Megan Oldenburger got back on track, taking the first set 21-6 before getting in a battle early in the second set, tied at seven apiece. The senior pair went on a 14-2 run to end the game, winning 21-11.
Abby Struewing and Sierra Still clinched the sweep with a dominant showing at the no. 2 position, winning 21-3 and closing out the match with a 21-6 win.
This is the first sweep victory for the Eagles since Mar. 7, 2020, when Carson-Newman swept Huntingdon in LaGrange, Ga. Half of the Eagles' six wins in 2020 came via the 5-0 sweep.
MATCH TWO: Carson-Newman 5, St. Andrews 0
For the first time since 2016, the Eagles earned back-to-back sweeps over an opponent, knocking off St. Andrews 5-0 in the nightcap of their doubleheader in Mossy Creek on Wednesday, Mar. 31.
Lauren Williams and Alanis Mendez once again started things strong for the Eagles, playing two tough sets to win 21-12 and 21-13, putting Carson-Newman up 1-0.
Lindsey Geurin Mia Toribio rolled over their opponents, winning 21-10 and 21-9, capped off by an electric ace by Toribio.
♠️ That's how you end a game.
— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CNathletics) March 31, 2021
Mia Toribio with the ace to give #CNBV a 2-0 lead pic.twitter.com/eWHAmdD0oX
Minutes later, the Eagles clinched the match as Joy Rhodes and Morgan Siwiec won their second straight match of the season.
�� And it's sweet, sweet victory @Rhodesjoy_ and @morgansiwiec earn their second straight victory and clinch the match for #CNBV
— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CNathletics) March 31, 2021
Eagles go for the sweep next pic.twitter.com/nbh5trSMsb
Abby Struewing and Sierra Still finished their day strong, exploding for a two-set win by scores of 21-7 and 21-9.
Summer Coulter and Megan Oldenburger had the performance of the afternoon. The two seniors rolled in set one to win 21-7 and then began set two up 13-0 before eventually winning the contest and securing the sweep with an impressive 21-4 win.
"I've been with this team since my freshman year and seeing us win now consistently and working on things we work on in practice has been awesome" "says Coulter, "We've grown so much and it's great to see what this team is capable of and where they'll go."
The last time the Eagles secured back-to-back sweeps since sweeping Morgan State and Lincoln Memorial on April 23, 2016. The Eagles have now swept five of their last 15 opponents, an astonishing 33%.
Carson-Newman will finish the regular season undefeated in Mossy Creek, finishing with a record of 4-0 at the Eagle Beach Volleyball Courts. The Eagles last went undefeated at home in 2016, although the team played just two home matches.
The wins push the Eagles record to 5-3 this season, securing at least a .500 record during the regular season for the second year in a row.
There will be no rest for the weary as the Eagles head south for a pair of matches with the Erskine Flying Fleet in Due West, S.C. First match is set to begin at 1:00 PM.
