Carson-Newman Volleyball Match Notes

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – To begin a string of seven straight matches away from home, the Carson-Newman Eagles (12-2, 8-1 South Atlantic Conference) travel to Greeneville, Tenn. to take on the Tusculum Pioneers (6-6, 4-5 SAC) Tuesday night for a 7 p.m. first serve.

The Eagles are the only team in the league to have three players rank in the top-10 in points per set. Senior outside hitter Sara Fairley (Charlotte, N.C.) and senior outside hitter Molly Locke (College Grove, Tenn.) are fifth in the SAC averaging 3.5 points per frame while junior middle blocker Maddie Borch (Walnut Creek, Calif.) is eighth by averaging 3.4 points. No other team has a trio of players in the top-15 in points per set on the year.

The trio are being set up by sophomore setter Anna Patton (Franklin, Tenn.) who leads the league in total assists on the year with 505 while racking up a team-high five double-doubles this season.

Carson-Newman is seeking its first three-match winning streak against Tusculum since a string of victories from 2008-09. The Pioneers had won eight of the last nine meetings prior to a pair of Eagle victories in 2014.

Tusculum holds a 28-23 advantage in the all-time series but the Eagles are coming off of a season where they handed the Pioneers a pair of losses, three sets at Holt Fieldhouse on September 16 and four sets in Greeneville on October 21.

The Pioneers have lost three of their last four contests and playing at home for the first time since September 22.

Tusculum has put up huge numbers in the dig category coming into the contest averaging 18.48 scoops per set this season, a number that is top-25 nationally. Libero Melissa Mazur leads the country in digs this year with 6.67 per set.

The Pioneers block has been among the worst in the nation this season as they are averaging one per set, a number that ranks in the bottom-10 in the country.

Setter Hannah Berling was named the TSWA Volleyball Player of the Week last week and is averaging 9.87 assists per set this season, third in the league. Berling has racked up seven double-doubles this season.

The Pioneers boast a pair of preseason All-SAC picks in first-teamer Laryssa Welch and second-team pick Rachel Garnett. Welch is averaging 2.24 kills per set and hitting .209 while Garnett leads the team with 2.60 kills per set on a .234 attack percentage.

At the match, Tusculum is holding a "Coat Drive" where fans are asked to donate a new or gently used coat to receive free admission and be entered for a chance to win a door prize. All coats collected will be donated to local elementary schools and soup kitchens for distribution.

Tusculum will provide a video stream for the match that fans can view by clicking here for coverage of the contest. Fans are encouraged to follow @CNathletics and @CarsonNewmanVB on Twitter for live updates during the match.

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