Lady Eagles Look to Remain Perfect During Tough SAC Road Trip this Weekend

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — If a game can define a season, Carson-Newman College's 3-2 win over Lincoln Memorial University on Sept. 7 will hopefully fit the bill. The Lady Eagles battled the 4-0 Lady Railsplitters to standstill, taking the win in the final two points in the fifth game. The undefeated Carson-Newman women will need the momentum this weekend when they face the top two teams in the South Atlantic Conference, Wingate and Catawba.

"Our main focus is to not stay elated about what just happened," coach Shannon Mincey said. "Yes, we're 5-0, but we want to think about what's to come, not feel successful in what we've accomplished. We have a lot ahead of us, especially this weekend playing the No. 1 and No..2 team in the conference. It's a big road swing for us."

The tests begin Friday night at Catawba with first serve scheduled at 6:30 p.m. In preseason voting, Catawba (3-2) was picked to finish second in the SAC. Wingate (3-1), who the Lady Eagles will play at Saturday at 2 p.m., was picked to finish first.

"All of our players know that this weekend is one where we all want to feel absolutely exhausted when we're finished," Mincey said. "If we know we gave everything we have, win or lose, then we'll have no regrets."

The Lady Eagles have reason to feel confident. Facing their first defeat of the year, the C-N women rallied, with a single point exemplifying both the match, and the determination each player had to win.

Trailing 13-12 in the final game, Carson-Newman libero Angelle Hayes (Brentwood, Tenn.) dove for a dig on a hard kill, only to slip on the wet gym floor. Hayes still got a hand on the ball to send it up, enough for Lara McDonald (Salem, Va.) to get a hand under the ball. McDonald punched it high enough for Carly Swisher (Fort Collins, Colo.) to send it back on LMU's side of the net. The Lady Eagles lived on, won the point and took control over the final points of the game.

"That play sealed it," Mincey said. "It was the play of the game. Our team is very celebratory. They play with passion and heart. It was just like new life was given to us on that play."

Mincey knows the size of her roster might be an issue against both Catawba and Wingate. Tuesday night against LMU, the Lady Eagles nearly ran the LMU off the court, easily winning the first two games. In the third, however, the Lady Railsplitters' depth helped them fight back into the match. Against Wingate and Catawba, C-N can't allow that to happen.

"Playing just eight or nine players, everyone has an advantage over us," Mincey said. "Coming out fast is going to be key for us. If they stretch us out for a long match, we might have issues with fatigue and dehydration."

What the Lady Eagles lack in depth, they make up for in talent and team unity. This weekend can make a statement to the rest of the conference on what to expect when they face Carson-Newman.

"We're focusing on being fundamental and being a complete unit," Mincey said. "We have a very solid group of ladies who are best friends this year. That friendship is what's winning games right now."