SALISBURY, N.C. – Despite a slow beginning, the Carson-Newman Eagles (11-14, 6-12 South Atlantic Conference) earned a four set victory over the Catawba Indians (4-16, 4-14 SAC) Friday night at Goodman Gym 18-25, 25-16, 25-16 and 25-20.

"The team pulled together tonight and played with intent," head coach Shannon Mincey said. "I was a bit frustrated with our start. Catawba played scrappy and cheerful in the first set. It was nice to see our squad respond with pride for our program."

In an opening frame that saw seven ties and four lead changes, Catawba went on a 7-1 run after the score was tied at ten. The Indians were able to stave off an Eagle comeback to take the first frame.

Junior outside hitter Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and senior right side Emily Schultz (Atlanta, Ga.) each notched three kills.

Carson-Newman came out with a renewed energy in the second stanza jumping out to a 13-7 lead on a kill from Schultz. The Indians pulled within four points at 16-12 before the Eagles won nine of the final 13 points before tying the match at a set a piece.

Harper hit .857 with six kills and five digs in the set while junior setter Kristen Pickett (Cleveland, Tenn.) tallied 11 assists.

The third game was tight early as the score was tied at eight before Carson-Newman won the next eight rallies with Harper on serve. The separation helped the Eagles finish the set as a service error from Catawba sealed the set for the visiting team.

Junior outside hitter Lauren Santarelli (Colorado Springs, Colo.) recorded four kills while sophomore middle Kiayna O'Neal (Katy, Texas) had three kills.

In a competitive fourth set that saw 13 ties and four lead changes, Catawba took a 7-4 lead. After the Eagles evened the score at seven, neither side led by more than two points. With the score knotted at 20, Carson-Newman won the final five points and sealed the victory on a kill from Schultz.

"The last set was close and O'Neal nailed some key serves that put us in position to gain the win," Mincey said. "It was nice to rely on Emily in all six rotations who normally rotates out. Our intent is to get rested so we can perform as a unit tomorrow."

Harper racked up her fifth consecutive double-double and fifteenth overall with 16 kills and 16 digs. Pickett finished with 48 assists and nine digs.

Schultz tallied an impressive 15 kills and nine digs while Santarelli had 11 kills.

The Eagles will look to make it three wins in a row Saturday afternoon with a 4 p.m. first serve schedule at Queens (N.C.). Stats for the Queens game can be found here with video here.