CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Carson-Newman Eagles (7-1, 4-0 South Atlantic Conference) won their sixth consecutive match by defeating the Queens (N.C.) Royals (2-6, 1-3 SAC) 23-25, 26-24, 25-16 and 25-23 Saturday afternoon at the Levine Center.

"We were very resilient today," Carson-Newman coach Dan Ahiers said. "We wouldn't let Queens beat usu. Every team will stumble a few times throughout the season. The best teams will make sure they don't fall, regain their balance and knock their opponent out."

For the first time in five matches, Carson-Newman dropped a set as Queens took the opening set 25-23. The Eagles led 14-10, but the Royals won eight of the next points to take an 18-15 lead. Promptly, Carson-Newman turned that deficit into a 20-19 edge. Queens won the next four points before closing out the set on a kill by Elizabeth Bialkowski.

Queens led by as many as three points on five occasions in the second stanza until Carson-Newman tied the score at 19 on a service ace by junior middle blocker Maddie Borch (Walnut Creek, Calif.). The Eagles won five of the next seven rallies and took the set 26-24 on a kill by Borch.

The visiting group leaped out to a commanding lead in the third frame going up by seven points on three occasions to take a 17-10 advantage. Queens could not overcome the deficit as a kill by senior outside hitter Sara Fairley (Charlotte, N.C.) sealed a 2-1 match edge 25-16.

While Carson-Newman led much of the fourth set, Queens was able to come back and take a 19-17 lead. The Eagles responded with four unanswered points to recapture control of the set. A match-ending kill from Fairley closed things out 25-23.

Overall, the Eagles hit .220 compared to .116 from the Royals with the two sides even with six service aces and Queens holding an eight to seven edge in blocks.

Fairley upped her career-high once again after resetting it last night with a match-high 20 kills on a .264 attack percentage and eight digs.

Freshman middle blocker Natalie Harris (Monroe, N.C.) also finished in double figures in kills with 11 on a .304 attack percentage.

Sophomore setter Anna Patton (Franklin, Tenn.) filled the stat sheet with her second double-double of the season finishing with 39 assists and 20 digs coupled with four kills and three block assists.

Rebecca Cochran's 13 kills and 15 digs and Meridith Jones's 11 kills and 13 digs led the way for the Royals in a loss.

Carson-Newman returns to Holt Fieldhouse for the first part of a six-match homestand Tuesday night as Lincoln Memorial comes to Mossy Creek for a 7 p.m. first serve. The game will be broadcast on the Eagle Sports Network by visiting cneagles.com/live five minutes prior to the start of the contest.

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