Dan Ahiers Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman volleyball will face off with five schools which made the NCAA tournament during the 2014 season and travel cross country to California to play in a tournament. 

"I like the fact that we're going to get a chance to play some of the best D2 programs out in California to open the year," C-N first year head coach Dan Ahiers said. "I want this to be a chance for Carson-Newman to show that it can prove how good volleyball can be here in Tennessee.

"We've got several girls on the team who will be taking their first flights.  It's team bonding.  They get to experience it together and it'll be something they remember for the rest of their lives."

The Eagles open their schedule with a tournament in California playing Notre Dame de Namur, Holy Names, Humboldt State and Academy of Art beginning Sept. 5.  The matches will be, by far, the furthest west Carson-Newman has ever played. 

The tournament bests the Eagles' previous long trip – a 2000 foray to Marshall, Minn., to play in a four-match tournament hosted by the Southwest State Mustangs.  The Eagles went 1-3 in that event 14 years ago. 

Following the trip to California, the Eagles wrap up nonconference play with a home match against Converse before playing UNC Pembroke and GRU Augusta at the Jaguars' home tournament. 

"The conference schedule is long and daunting, especially when you consider that the SAC is one of the three best volleyball leagues in the nation," Ahiers said. "We can't be ironing out wrinkles when it comes to SAC play.  We have to get that stuff fixed with the nonconference tournaments that we're playing in."  

The Eagles open up their conference slate on Sept. 16 against archrival and NCAA tournament participant Tusculum.  C-N also faces NCAA tournament participants Newberry, Anderson, Queens and Elite Eight participant Wingate as a part of conference play. 

C-N closes its season with five of its final seven matches in Holt Fieldhouse.  Senior day is Nov. 8 versus Newberry at 3 p.m.