JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - The Eagles fell in the final match of the SAC Beach Challenge to conference rival Tusculum, 4-1.
The Eagles have now dropped four straight against the Pioneers, with their last win coming on Mar. 13, 2021.
Tusculum 4, Carson-Newman 1
Arizona Webb and Diana Bierwagen set the tone for the Pioneers with an early exhibition match victory against Alanis Mendez and Kenzie Palmer in sets of 21-18 and 21-17.
In the no. five position, Skyellar Hall and Emily Lawless take down Lindsey Geurin and Taylor Keeran in straight sets, 21-15 and 21-16.
McKenna Hall and Piper Halcrow were able to turn things around for the Eagles with a 22-20 first set victory, but fell victim to the McLamb and Knutson comeback dropping the two final sets of 21-17 and 15-5.
Mia Toribio moves to 3-0 playing In the number three position for the third time this season in three straight matches. Toribio and Morgan Siwiec earned the only win of the day for the Eagles in straight sets, 21-13 and 21-13.
Haley Davis and Charlyn Miller recaptured the momentum for the Pioneers as they dominated in a set of 21-6 against Jenny Ille and Julia Wheeler. This would become the largest deficit that the Eagles would suffer on the day. The Pioneers clinched the SAC Beach Challenge Championship with a second set 21-15 win.
Abby Hildenbrand and Sierra Still won their first set in the no. one position with a score of 24-22, but were unable to hold off Johnson and O'Keefe as they fall in the two final sets 21-12 and 15-9.
Tusculum climbs to 16-9 on the year as Carson-Newman falls to 14-9.
The Eagles will hope to bounce back next Thursday as they travel to Tavares, Florida for the AVCA Small College Championship to end the season. A full schedule will be announced at a future date.
