VIDEO: Alumni Match Highlights

VIDEO: Kristen Pickett Interview

VIDEO: Rachael Bowlin Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – To conclude preseason preparation the Carson-Newman volleyball welcomed back 13 alumni to participate in a barbeque and a best-of-five match Saturday afternoon at Holt Fieldhouse.

"It was really cool seeing some of the different generations," senior setter Kristen Pickett (Cleveland, Tenn.) said of the experience. "There were some players that we played with and some that we haven't seen or talked to so that was awesome getting to talk to them about their experiences and ours too."

The day began with an opportunity to meet and greet with the new team, look at the renovated locker room and feast on some barbeque.

When the meal and tours concluded, the two sides hit the court for a match in which both sides went through usual pregame warm-ups. It took the alumni a set to get acquainted with each other.

The incumbents topped the alumni in three sets, 25-12, 25-22 and 25-17, but the alumni put together some great rallies and enjoyed getting back to a competitive atmosphere.

"Half of us had never played together before and we didn't even know each other prior to coming here," 2012 Carson-Newman graduate Rachael Bowlin said playing with the group of alumni. "We thought we could jump a lot higher and move a lot faster, but we had to accommodate that in the second game."

The alumni were represented by graduation years ranging from 2002 to 2012 and included several different positions. Smiles were infectious on and off the court Saturday afternoon and Bowlin sees a lot of positives with this year's team.

"He has one starting group and is always changing it," Bowlin said of Dan Ahier's coaching style. "It was very good to have to see them rise to the occasion especially for the younger ones. They are getting this good experience and time under their belts."

Experience is one of the words tossed around about going to California where the Eagles will participate in the Route 92 Tournament playing in four matches over a two-day period.

"I think it will be fun just getting to spend time with the team and coach in a different environment," Pickett said of what she is most excited for in the journey to the west coast.

The Eagles begin the year September 5 at 2 p.m. when the opponent is Notre de Namur in Belmont, Calif.

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