ANDERSON, S.C. – The Carson-Newman Eagles (13-4, 9-1 South Atlantic Conference) went on the road and collected a three-set victory over the Anderson (S.C.) Trojans (13-5, 6-4 SAC) Friday night at the Abney Center. The Trojans had won four straight matches in the series.

"I was very impressed by Anderson," head coach Dan Ahiers said after the win. "They were ready to play and fought hard. They really wanted this one. I'm glad that we played hard no matter what the score was and that we closed out every set hard."

Carson-Newman won seven of the first eight points of the match including three consecutive service aces by senior outside hitter Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.). The Eagles won three of the final four points on kills from freshman outside hitter Kyrie Pennington (Charlotte, N.C.) who finished the frame with six kills.

The Trojans surged out to a 7-3 advantage in the second set before the visiting group responded with a 7-3 run to equalize at ten. The two sides duked it out to see the scoreboard read 23-23 before senior middle blocker Jenna Wilson (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) and Pennington found the ground to give the Eagles a second set victory.

Once again the home team stormed out to a 7-3 lead and Carson-Newman answered with an identical spurt to knot the score at ten. The Eagles were able to take control shortly after and once again Pennington delivered a kill to earn a set and match victory.

Harper led the team with 14 kills while tallying her fifth double-double of the season with 12 digs. She tied a career-high with five service aces in the match.

Senior setter Kristen Pickett (Cleveland, Tenn.) notched her seventh double-double of the year with 37 assists and 12 digs.

Pennington matched her career-high with 12 kills to go along with seven digs and Wilson finished with 11 kills.

Sophomore libero Taylor Lowe (Franklin, Tenn.) piled up 19 digs for Carson-Newman.

The Trojans became the fourth team this year to hit over .200 against the Eagles as they hit .240 while Hailey Pittman led the way with 15 kills and a .483 attack percentage.

Carson-Newman travels to Newberry for a 2:00 p.m. first serve against the Newberry Wolves Saturday afternoon.

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