VIDEO: Dan Ahiers Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman head volleyball coach Dan Ahiers has upped the ante in his second year at the helm of the C-N volleyball program. The Eagles headman has lined the 2015 slate with nine games against NCAA tournament opponents.

Carson-Newman opens up the season at the Laker Riverfront Classic in Allendale, Mich., beginning Sept. 4.  The Eagles will tangle with Quincy, Lock Haven and Bemidji State; however, the highlight of the trip will be a meeting with host and Final Four participant Grand Valley State. 

"Our trip last year to San Francisco was less about wins and losses and more about a team coming together to do something they'll remember the rest of their lives," Ahiers said. "We hope to accomplish the same thing with this trip. They'll have a great time up at Grand Valley State, bond and play some quality competition too."

The Lakers were the three seed in the Midwest Region and ranked 18^th in the country headed into the tournament last year.  GVSU won all of its regional matchups by 3-0 sweeps, including a 25-17, 25-21, 25-21 over SAC Champion Wingate in the Elite Eight. The Lakers never trailed in that matchup with the Bulldogs.

Following the visit to the Wolverine State, the Eagles return home to begin conference play the second weekend of the season with Brevard and NCAA tournament participant Lenoir-Rhyne.

"It's so interesting how our league is so big and deep that we have to play those games so early in the year." Ahiers said. "I like it, because you know you're going to face a ton of good competition that can help you get to an NCAA tournament."

The matchups with L-R and Brevard kickoff a three-week stretch where the Eagles will tangle with eight teams inside Holt Fieldhouse in 10 games.

After games at Catawba and Queens, the Eagles return to Holt for six straight home games, beginning with LMU and Elite Eight qualifier Wingate.

C-N closes its homestand with NCAA tournament and SAC foe Anderson on Oct. 3

The tradeoff though, is that the Eagles play their next seven on the road, including major matchups at the SAC/Peach Belt Challenge at USC Aiken.  

"We were 17th in the country in average attendance per game.  The numbers we have in the gym are fantastic because our fans are smart about the game too," Ahiers said. "We're thrilled for that home stand, and we'll work our way through that road trip."

The Eagles' roadtrip begins Oct. 6 with a trip to Greeneville to face Tusculum.  C-N then makes the drive across the Palmetto State to USC Aiken where the Eagles will play both the Pacers and GRU Augusta (both NCAA tournament teams) on Oct. 9 before rounding out the SAC/Peach Belt Challenge on Oct. 10 with Lander.  After a home match with Catawba on Oct. 23, the Eagles play a tri-match with Queens and Columbus State. 

The Eagles finish with five of their final seven games away from Holt Fieldhouse. Senior day will be Sunday, Nov. 15 against Mars Hill.