VIDEO: Dan Ahiers Interview

Carson-Newman Volleyball Match Notes

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – With an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament on the line, the Carson-Newman Eagles (25-5, 20-2 South Atlantic Conference) will look to solidify their position in the Southeast Region in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament with a first round match against the Mars Hill Lions (10-19, 9-13 SAC) Friday evening at 5 p.m. in Hickory, N.C.).

It is the first trip for Carson-Newman to the SAC Tournament since 2011 as the Eagles are looking for their first SAC Tournament win since a five-set win over Catawba in the opening round of the 2010 SAC Tournament. The Eagles are 26-24 all-time in the SAC Tournament with two championships won in the 2000 and 2002 seasons.

"It's a little different," head coach Dan Ahiers said of playing in the SAC Tournament. "A lot of the time, they've been underdogs. They are used to playing that underdog role. It's a role reversal for them this year. They are the ones on top. They are the ones that everyone is gunning for. They have to learn to bring it. It's not just a regular match anymore."

Carson-Newman has proven it is on the same level as the top seeded Wingate Bulldogs have won eight straight SAC Tournament titles. The Eagles defeated the Bulldogs on their home court in five sets on November 1 and in order for the two teams to tangle in the title match on Sunday, Ahiers acknowledges a need for consistency from the senior class.

"Like they've done all year, they've been leaders," Ahiers said. "They've done it on the court and off the court. It's part of why we have such great team chemistry. We are going to need a really big effort from all four of them."

Mars Hill is the first team on the docket for Carson-Newman. The two programs have met in the SAC Tournament seven times before in tournament play with the Lions holding a 4-3 lead. The Eagles have won the last two meetings however coming in 2003 and 2004.

This year, Carson-Newman won at Holt Fieldhouse in four sets and needed a five-set match at Mars Hill to defeat the Lions. In the five-set match on October 14, Mars Hill was heading toward a match victory until Carson-Newman turned on the jets. With the Lions leading 2-1 in the match and 21-16 in the fourth set before the Eagles used a 6-1 spurt to tie it at 22 before finalizing a 25-23 victory. The fifth set was tied at 13 until senior middle blocker Jenna Wilson (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) notched a kill and a block to escape the Tar Heel state with a victory.

Wilson had 20 kills and a .429 attack percentage while fellow first team All-SAC selection senior outside hitter Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.) had 17 kills and 23 digs. Second team All-SAC team member Kristen Pickett (Cleveland, Tenn.) notched her 10^th career 50-assist match with 50 assists and nine digs.

All-Freshman team selection Rebecca Butler led the way for Mars Hill with 19 kills and 21 digs while second team All-SAC honoree Mary Kate Griffin led all players with 22 kills, seven digs and four solo blocks.

The quarterfinal match is scheduled for 5 p.m. from the campus of Lenoir-Rhyne. Fans are encouraged to follow @CNathletics on Twitter for the most current updates on Carson-Newman volleyball.

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