Final Box Score

MARS HILL, N.C. – The Carson-Newman Eagles (18-3, 12-1 South Atlantic Conference) held the Mars Hill Lions (5-15, 3-10 SAC) to a -.023 attack percentage in a 25-22, 26-24 and 25-20 victory Tuesday night at Stanford Arena. The attack percentage is the lowest by a Carson-Newman opponent since September 24, 2010 when Newberry hit -.045.

"We got a lot better as an entire team tonight," Carson-Newman coach Dan Ahiers said. "Molly Locke couldn't go because of a foot injury so Kristina Hill came in and played defense and passed really well to keep us in system. Plus Anna Patton has a new nickname 'Stonewall Patton'. She really frustrated their outsides and stuff a bunch of balls back in their face. Very good win versus a team and a crowd that was desperate for a win."

The first set saw the Eagles hit .298 while the score was tied seven times. Carson-Newman led by as many as four points to start the match but the score was deadlocked at 22. Kills from junior middle blocker Maddie Borch (Walnut Creek, Calif.) and freshman outside hitter Cecily Clark (Cincinnati, Ohio) and an attack error from Rebecca Butler sealed the opening set.

The second stanza was eerily reminiscent of the first with Carson-Newman leading by four points early and by as many as five in the set. With a 23-19 lead, the Eagles saw the Lions claw back to tie the score at 24. A kill from Borch and a solo block from freshman middle blocker Natalie Harris (Monroe, N.C.) closed out the second set.

The Eagles had five blocks in the third set and used a 9-0 run after trailing 11-10 to gain the separation needed to capture the match. Mars Hill chipped away at the deficit but a kill from Harris ended the event.

Statiscally Carson-Newman dominated the contest with 41 kills, a .143 attack percentage, 67 digs and nine blocks compared to 24 kills, a -.023 hitting percentage, 64 digs and three blocks for Mars Hill.

Borch led all players with 13 kills on the night with a .440 attack percentage combined with three block assists. Senior outside hitter Sara Fairley (Charlotte, N.C.) finished with her sixth double-double of the year with 10 kills and 10 digs.

Sophomore setter Anna Patton (Franklin, Tenn.) had her ninth double-double of the season with 35 assists and 10 digs to go along with two solo blocks and two block assists.

Four Eagles finished in double figures in digs led by junior libero Taylor Lowe (Franklin, Tenn.) who finished with 18.

Mars Hill did not see one player finish in double-digits in kills as Butler's eight led the way coupled with 12 digs. Victoria Kaiser had 20 digs and Sara Fahrenbrook had 20 assists and nine digs.

Carson-Newman begins a three-match week Friday night at 7 p.m. when the Catawba Indians travel to Holt Fieldhouse. A live video stream will be provided by the Eagle Sports Network by visiting cneagles.com/live.

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