VIDEO: Dan Ahiers Interview

VIDEO: Lauren Santarelli Interview

VIDEO: Brevard Match Highlights

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – For the first time since 2010, the Carson-Newman Eagles (20-4, 15-1 South Atlantic Conference) have won 20 games after defeating the Brevard Tornados (10-13, 4-12 SAC) in four sets 25-21, 25-15, 22-25 and 25-13 Friday night at Holt Fieldhouse.

"They are a good team and unbelievably coached," head coach Dan Ahiers said of Brevard. "We had a lot of success with our middles. A lot of young teams have trouble tracking transition balls."

The first frame featured more ties, six, than the rest of the sets combined with the score being deadlocked as late as 21-21. Carson-Newman earned the final four points of the set with junior libero Kristina Hill (Lake Orion, Mich.) on serve. Senior outside hitter Lauren Santarelli (Colorado Springs, Colo.) led all players with four kills.

The Eagles dropped the first point of the second stanza, but reeled off nine of the next 13 to take control. A stout serve led the home club to a runaway victory. Five different players tallied two kills.

The third set belonged to Brevard who did not look back on an early advantage despite the Eagles pulling with a pair of points on several occasions. Senior outside hitter Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.) had 12 digs in the frame.

Carson-Newman took immediate control of the fourth set winning the first five points. After a run by Brevard to pull within two, Carson-Newman won nine of the next 11 points to get on up 19-10. Senior blocker Jenna Wilson (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) ended the contest with a solo block.

Santarelli had a big time match with 12 kills on a season-high .429 attack percentage. Wilson joined Santarelli with 12 kills, a .367 attack percentage and four total blocks.

"I think what worked offensively for me was finding that line shot," Santarelli said. "[Freshman right side Rachel] Cutshaw did a great job instructing me where to hit it and it was a team effort to help me get my kills tonight."

Junior middle blocker Kiayna O'Neal (Katy, Texas) joined the double-digit club with 10 kills on a .409 attack percentage.

Harper match a career-high from her sophomore season with 25 digs to go along with eight kills and four service aces.

Senior setter Kristen Pickett (Cleveland, Tenn.) had 36 assists and eight digs.

Brevard was led by Fatima Gharachorloo who had 12 kills, seven digs and two blocks.

Carson-Newman is back in action Saturday evening at 6 p.m. after the football game against the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears on a match you can watch on cneagles.com/live.

"The last time we played right after [football]," Ahiers said. "It was the Wingate match and we had well over 1,200 people in here and they were rowdy and loud."

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