HARROGATE, Tenn. – After their first conference loss of the year, the Carson-Newman Eagles (12-4, 8-1 South Atlantic Conference) were able to bounce back against the Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters (9-8, 5-4 SAC) 25-20, 25-15 and 25-23 Tuesday night at Mars Gym.

"On a night where we weren't firing on all cylinders, our defense really took control of this match," head coach Dan Ahiers assessed after the contest. "Between our block and floor defense, we really wouldn't let anything drop."

The two sides were equal after the first 24 rallies of the match, but the Eagles used a 7-1 run to surge to a 19-13 lead. Junior middle blocker Kiayna O'Neal (Katy, Texas) slapped a ball to the middle of the court to earn a set one win. Senior middle blocker Jenna Wilson (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) led the way with six kills.

Once again the second set was close before Carson-Newman took control on a 7-0 run to take a 19-10 lead. O'Neal put away the frame with a kill at the top of the net. Senior setter Kristen Pickett (Cleveland, Tenn.) racked up 13 assists.

The third set came down to the wire with the Eagles taking the final two points including a kill from Wilson to close the deal and give Carson-Newman a sweep.

The Eagles held the Railsplitters to a .080 attack percentage while compiling nine blocks and a .169 hitting percentage.

Wilson led the way with 13 kills, a .375 attack percentage and four blocks. Senior outside hitter Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.) added 13 kills and 16 digs to notch her fourth double-double of the season.

Pickett finished with 37 assists and eight digs while sophomore libero Taylor Lowe (Franklin, Tenn.) had 18 digs and two service aces.

Carson-Newman will continue its four-game road trip this weekend with a match against Anderson (S.C.) Friday night at 7 p.m.

- CN -