CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After winning two straight matches, the Carson-Newman Eagles (11-15, 6-13) will not play in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament after falling in three sets to the Queens (N.C.) Royals (13-10, 11-8 SAC) 25-20, 30-28 and 25-18 Saturday afternoon at the Levine Center.

"Our squad fought hard and made great plays at times," head coach Shannon Mincey said following the match. "After losing the first set, I was hoping to finish the second set on a positive note since we were up. However, circumstances fell in Queens' favor. My hope was to allow our mature players on our squad execute key plays."

The home team surged out to a 4-1 lead in the opening frame only to see the Eagles respond with a 13-5 spurt to take a 14-9 lead on an attack error by Queens. The Royals knotted the score at 18 before winning seven of the final nine points to take the set.

Five different Carson-Newman players notched at least two kills led by three kills from junior outside hitter Lauren Santarelli (Colorado Springs, Colo.).

In a second game that saw 15 ties and five lead changes, the largest lead by either side was three points by the Eagles on two occasions. The 16-14 lead for Carson-Newman was the final time either side led by more than one point until the Royals won the set on a kill by Keri Kemp.

Carson-Newman hit .283 as junior setter Kristen Pickett (Cleveland, Tenn.) tallied 17 assists. Santarelli accumulated seven kills while junior outside hitter Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.) compiled five kills and six digs.

The Eagles competed in the third set, but fell behind 10-7 after closing to within a point at 7-6. Carson-Newman never rebounded as the Royals went on to win by seven.

"I pulled some younger players from the bench during the third set, but it was somewhat hard for them to enter into an already down situation," Mincey said. "Queens has seven seniors and their ability to play collectively showed. We only have one senior and my heart is certainly aching for her on her last career road swing."

Pickett had 29 assists, six digs and four kills while Santarelli finished with 12 kills and five digs. Harper finished a kill shy of a double-double with 13 digs.

The Royals were led by Anna Gibbs who racked up 16 kills and a .414 hitting percentage as setter Taylor Riley had 37 assists and ten digs.

The Eagles will conclude the season with three home contests beginning with a match against Lincoln Memorial Tuesday night at 7 p.m.