JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman's beach volleyball program (4-0) has a chance to make history at the Truett McConnell Invite this weekend, starting Friday, Feb. 10th.
The blue and orange had never started a season with four consecutive 5-0 sweeps before this year. Two wins for the Eagles would secure a 6-0 start for the first time in program history. Lind's squad will take on LaGrange and St. Andrews on Friday before facing off against D-III foe Huntingdon and Truett McConnell on Saturday.
Carson-Newman began the season 4-0 for the first time since the Covid-19 shortened 2020 season when the Eagles finished 6-1. Lind and co. faced off against LaGrange College and Truett McConnell University last Friday and Saturday.
Carson-Newman will begin the weekend with a matchup against LaGrange on Friday, with the first serve coming at 8:30 A.M. The Eagles dominated LaGrange College last weekend, outscoring the Panthers 383-170 through nine sets. Carson-Newman climbs to 3-0 against LaGrange all-time.
The Eagles will then face off against St. Andrews beginning around noon. Carson-Newman is 5-0 all-time against the Knights, including three 5-0 sweeps last year. Their most recent matchup was a senior day special on Mar. 31st of, 2022. The Eagles broke the single-season record for wins in a season with 12. Carson-Newman ended the season with a total of 15. Lind's squad won 11 consecutive sets to take down the Knights.
Saturday will begin with a matchup against Huntingdon at 10:15 A.M. Carson-Newman is 1-2 against Huntingdon all-time, but they won their last matchup in a 5-0 sweep back on Mar. 7th. Mia Toribio is the only Eagle on the team that played in their previous bout. Toribio matched up with Abby Struewing to win in consecutive 21-13 sets in the three spot.
The Eagles will end the weekend with a matchup against Truett McConnell beginning at 1:45 P.M. Carson-Newman's only two matches against Truett McConnell have come this season. The Eagles won both matches with 5-0 sweeps. The Bears have lost 21 out of their last 33 matches in 5-0 sweeps.
Cat Lind plans to roll out the same lineup as last weekend. Truth Hafey and Sierra Still will be in the one spot. Abbey Hildenbrand and Ava Fountain will be in the two. Julia Wheeler and McKenna Hall will line up in the three. Piper Halcrow and Ashlyn Phair will play the four. Kat Nelson and Calla Shotwell will round out the starting lineup in the five.
Still has a chance to make history for Carson-Newman this weekend. The Julian, N.C., native is two wins away from tying Linday Geurin's all-time win record of 32. Toribio sits one spot behind still with 29 but is not expected to play this weekend.
For a full recap of the weekend's action, visit CNEagles.com or follow Carson-Newman Athletics on social media.
