VIDEO: Kristen Pickett Interview

Carson-Newman Volleyball Match Notes

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – A six-match homestand comes to a close this weekend at Holt Fieldhouse as the Carson-Newman Eagles (10-2, 6-1 South Atlantic Conference) take on the Newberry Wolves (6-5, 2-4 SAC) Friday night at 7 p.m. and the Anderson (S.C.) Trojans (7-5, 5-2 SAC) Saturday at 2 p.m.

Carson-Newman fans have been among the best in all of Division II this season. Holt Fieldhouse is averaging 665 people per volleyball match this year ranking 10th among Division II teams this year. The average attendance is more than any other team in the Southeast Region with the next closest club, Lincoln Memorial, averaging 416.

"As a player it was definitely exciting to see your friends, your family and everybody out there supporting you," Carson-Newman assistant coach Kristen Pickett said. "It just makes the environment more fun. I'm glad they're at home because that is an advantage for us so we're excited to see the outcome."

Carson-Newman's defense has begun to find its stride as the Eagles are shutting down opponents. After averaging five blocks per match through the first five matches of the season, the Eagles have ramped that number up to 7.6 blocks per match over the last seven matches.

Since the beginning of 2014, the Eagles have held opponents to an attack percentage lower than .100 16 times with Carson-Newman coming out on top in each match. The previous high was eight matches set in 2008.

"Our block is very good right now," Pickett said. "Our defense is what is really key too. The fact that we can put those together is a definite force against the other teams. We have good blockers and good defenders."

Carson-Newman has controlled the first 48 meetings with Newberry leading 41-7 all-time. Each of the last five meetings have gone to five sets including a pair of victories for the Eagles in 2014.

The Wolves have lost four straight matches, all in four sets, and have only played away from home three times this year.

Newberry is one of the best defensive teams in the country ranking 16th among Division II programs with 18.54 digs per set, 964 total, this season.

Junior outside hitter Logan Hayward has been the go-to target for Newberry as she ranks 21st nationally with 547 total attacks this year. Hayward is averaging 2.94 kills per set and hitting .140 on the year.

"They are definitely a challenging team to play against coming from experience from last year," Pickett said. "I'm excited to see this team. This team that we have now is brand new so they just know to get out there and play the best that they can."

In the 16 prior meetings with Anderson (S.C.), the two sides have each won eight matches. The Eagles won both regular season meetings in 2014, but the Trojans bounced Carson-Newman in five sets in the SAC semifinals.

The reigning conference Player of the Year, Hailey Pittman, is gone after a huge season in 2014 where she hit .416, the top mark in the nation. The middle blocker led the league with 385 total kills good for 3.63 kills per set.

The Trojans are one of the best in the nation when it comes to serving ranking fifth in the country with 2.20 service aces per set and 13th with 101 total service aces.

Anderson averages 17.96 digs per set on the year ranking 27th in Division II.

Junior Tinsley Hallman is 27th in the nation by averaging 0.52 service aces per set. Hallman leads the team in total kills with 113 having been set almost 200 times more than the next closest Trojan with 446 attacks.

Both matches will be available in high definition by visiting cneagles.com/live as Eric Cain will provide commentary for both matches. 

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