VIDEO: Dan Ahiers Interview

VIDEO: Hannah Robertson Interview

VIDEO: Match Highlights

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman Eagles (12-2, 8-1 South Atlantic Conference) knocked off the Anderson (S.C.) Trojans (7-7, 5-4 SAC) 17-25, 25-20, 25-15 and 25-17 Saturday afternoon at Holt Fieldhouse.

"It was a mirror image of last night," Carson-Newman coach Dan Ahiers said. "We kind of come out flat. I'm glad to see that even when we come out a little flat we find a way to win no matter what. We had different people step up in different ways. What I really love is getting better as a team defensively. When our offense hasn't been perfect the last two nights, our defense has been absolutely out of control."

Carson-Newman was held to a -.061 attack percentage marking the only time in the match the Eagles hit under .200 in a set. The Trojans won six of the first nine points before the Eagles closed the gap to two points. A quick 5-0 response gave Anderson the separation it needed to take the opening frame.

The away team won the first five points of the second stanza and held a 17-12 lead before the home group reeled off eight straight points to take a lead. It was an advantage the Eagles never relinquished in closing out the set.

For the first time in the match the Eagles were the first team to 10 points taking a 10-7 lead. An ensuing 8-1 run after the Trojans cut the deficit to two points put Carson-Newman ahead 18-9. A kill from freshman outside hitter Cecily Clark (Cincinnati, Ohio) closed out the set.

The Eagles hit .312 in the fourth set on 13 kills, but faced a 12-9 deficit. Carson-Newman promptly responded by winning the next 11 points to cease control of the match and wrapped up the contest on a kill by junior middle blocker Maddie Borch (Walnut Creek, Calif.).

Borch led all players with a career-high 14 kills in the match hitting .375 along the way with four digs and a solo block.

Senior outside hitter Molly Locke (College Grove, Tenn.) was the only other player in the match to record double-digit kills finishing with 10 kills and four digs.

Sophomore setter Anna Patton (Franklin, Tenn.) recorded a double-double for the second straight night and fifth time on the year with 36 assists and 10 digs.

Anderson hit just .060 as a group and was led by Priscilla Irizarry who had 19 assists and nine digs while Emily Conrad had 18 digs.

The Eagles begin a stretch where they will play seven straight matches away from Holt Fieldhouse Tuesday night at Tusculum for a 7 p.m. first serve against the Pioneers.

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