Carson-Newman Volleyball Sweeps Mars Hill, 3-0, In South Atlantic Conference Action Tuesday At Holt Fieldhouse

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - The Carson-Newman College Volleyball Team (9-5, 3-1 SAC) defeated Mars Hill College (7-7, 1-5 SAC), 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-12), Tuesday night at Holt Fieldhouse. Five Lady Eagles tallied seven or more kills in the match.

The two teams played a tight first set that featured seven ties and four lead changes. Just when it seemed that the Lions were going to take a 1-0 match lead, the Lady Eagles screamed back from a 20-16 deficit, scoring nine of the final 11 points of the stanza and gaining momentum in the match.

"We took care of business tonight even though we started a little tight again in front of our home crowd," said sixth-year Head Coach Shannon Mincey after the match. "Once we loosened up, we got in a rhythm. We are really celebrating this win."

In the second frame, C-N kept the Mars Hill defense guessing as the team's 17 kills were distributed across seven players. The Lions were able to respond with a five-point run in the middle of the set, but the Lady Eagles put together three spurts of three, four and three points, respectively, to take a 2-0 lead in the match.

Carson-Newman dominated the third set, outhitting Mars Hill .296 to -.107 (a .406 margin). With the score 15-9, the Lady Eagles sealed the match with a six point scoring run to go up 21-9, cruising to the victory.

Freshman middle Jasmine Clark (Pelham, Ala.) led all players with 10 kills, hitting .471 to lead C-N while senior outside hitter Jessica Schachleiter (Cincinnati, Ohio) finished a close second with nine kills and added three service aces, a match-high.

Senior setter Stephanie Cutter (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) dished out 33 assists, for C-N while freshman libero Angelle Hayes (Brentwood, Tenn.) recorded 15 digs, both match-highs.

Lady Eagle junior outside hitter Carly Mozgai (Greensboro, N.C.), who was playing in her first match of the season after an off-the-court injury during the preseason, recorded seven kills as well.

"(Carly's) been practicing with us now for two weeks and has raised the intensity level in practice," said Mincey of Mozgai. "We felt that she was ready to get back on the court. I think it's going to make everyone else to continue to rise up because we all know she's an asset to our team. I know she was really excited to be back on the court. At first we may have had a little bit of an emotional start for her, but we did not have any chemistry issues with her coming back in the lineup."

Mars Hill was led by Laura Ann Huskey (West Henderson, N.C.) with seven kills and Sarah Paquette (Swannanoa, N.C.) with 15 assists.

Carson-Newman will continue its five-match streak against opponents from the "Old North State" when it travels to Hickory, N.C., Friday evening to take on the Bears of Lenoir-Rhyne University. First serve is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., at Shuford Memorial Gymnasium.

"We've got a big game Friday night against Lenoir-Rhyne," concluded Mincey. " They are going to be a tough opponent. We are really going to have to spend Wednesday and Thursday preparing for them and focusing on them, as well as Brevard. We've got a big weekend ahead of us."