BELMONT, Calif. – The Carson-Newman Eagles (2-0) needed six sets to defeat Notre Dame de Namur and Holy Names Friday afternoon on the campus of Notre Dame de Namur. The victories marked the first two career collegiate head coaching wins for Eagle head coach Dan Ahiers.

"I think day one went great," Ahiers said after the second contest. "The morning, we came out fired up. They didn't have any jet lag or any signs of weakness. Our offense looked great and our defense looked just as good."

Match No. 1 – Carson-Newman 3  Notre Dame de Namur 0

Carson-Newman used a stout attacking line to start the day. Overall against the Argonauts, the Eagles hit .378 as they committed just five attack errors while rejecting ten attack attempts aiding in a commanding 25-16, 25-15 and 25-12 victory.

Junior outside hitter Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.) led the way with 11 kills and eight digs while senior middle blocker Jenna Wilson (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) had nine kills, three solo blocks, four block assists and a .643 attack percentage in her Eagle debut.

Junior middle blocker Kiayna O'Neal (Katy, Texas) tallied eight kills, one solo block and two block assists while senior setter Kristen Pickett (Cleveland, Tenn.) handed out 29 assists.

"Our middles especially had good matches," Ahiers said of individual efforts. "They absolutely dominated. They blocked incredibly well every single time defensively."

Match No. 2 – Carson-Newman 3  Holy Names 0

The theme of the final match of the day was late runs for the Eagles. Holy Names kept things close through the beginning half of each of the three sets, but Carson-Newman pulled away late for a 25-20, 25-17 and 25-17 triumph.

The Eagles were able to use some of the new players and saw another huge offensive and defensive games as Carson-Newman hit .322 with eight blocks.

Once again Harper and Wilson led the with 14 and 11 kills respectively while Wilson cranked out a .556 attack percentage.

The freshman setting duo of Anna Patton (Franklin, Tenn.) and Morgan Harlan (Ladera Ranch, Tenn.) handed out 13 and 18 assists respectively in their first collegiate action.

The Eagles are back at it again on Saturday when Carson-Newman takes on Humboldt State at 4:30 p.m. and Academy of Art at 7:30 p.m.

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