VIDEO: Kirby Toribio Interview

Carson-Newman Volleyball Match Notes

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Fourth-seeded Carson-Newman begins the Southeast Region action in the NCAA Tournament against fifth-seeded Armstrong State Friday evening at 5 p.m. in Aiken, S.C. The Eagles (26-7) are looking for at least one NCAA Tournament win in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history when they challenge the Pirates (18-10).

"Armstrong is a great team," Carson-Newman assistant coach Kirby Toribio said. "They are a whole lot bigger than us. They've got size. They've got a really good team and they are very well-coached. Hopefully our team can come together and play together and do what it takes to face them again."

Carson-Newman has two starters returning from last season's Southeast Region semifinal in senior outside hitter Sara Fairley (Charlotte, N.C.) and junior libero Taylor Lowe (Franklin, Tenn.). Lowe was named to the Southeast Region All-Tournament team last season for her effort's while Fairley had 11 kills in six sets played last season.

"Hopefully we will get a chance to travel together next weekend," Toribio said. "There is a sense of urgency for this the seniors. This is their second year in-a-row that they get to go be together in the NCAA Tournament. I think they are excited and they look forward to it together."

The 2015 opening round match is a rematch of the 2014 Southeast Region semifinal and will mark the sixth all-time meeting between the two programs. Carson-Newman's lone win in the series came on Sept. 13, 2008 in four sets. The Eagles were led by Carly Mozgai's 14 kills and 13 digs in that contest.

A 30-win Pirates group won 25-21, 25-22 and 25-14 at Cuddy Arena in the Regional Semifinals. Rachel Harper was the only player in the match with double-digit kills finishing with 10. The Pirates hit .253 in the match and were led by setter Kamryn Sherman's 28 assists and 11 digs.

Armstrong hit .253 on the night while holding Carson-Newman to a .063 attack percentage thanks to 11 total blocks as Taylor Parementer finished with four total blocks.

Armstrong is in the NCAA Tournament field for the eight consecutive season and 13th overall. The Pirates have advanced the Southeast Region final in each of the last two years.

With an 11-3 record in home matches this season, Armstrong compiled a 7-7 record in road and neutral site games. The Pirates have faced three SAC teams this season going 1-2 in during the opening weekend of the year. The win is a sweep over Brevard while the losses are five-set setbacks against Tusculum and Lincoln Memorial.

Efficient offensive numbers lead the offensive attack as Armstrong ranks 36th nationally and led the Peach Belt with a .231 hitting percentage. Only Wingate's .242 hitting percentage ranked higher than the Pirates mark of the 32 Southeast Region teams.

Despite a block that averages 1.94 rejections per set, 9th in the region, Armstrong's dig numbers put the Pirates 225th nationally with 14.51 scoops per set. Three teams in the region had fewer digs than Armstrong this season. The three teams, Converse, Mount Olive and Pfeiffer, combined for an overall record of 9-66.

Two first-team All-Peach Belt Conference picks lead the way in juniors Anna McGee and Emily Wylie. Wylie finished with eight kills and three block assists in the 2014 meeting against the Eagles. McGee racked up 3.5 total blocks and five kills on a .333 attack percentage in the 2014 Regional Semifinal contest.

McGee was third in the PBC in points per set with 4.09 while hitting .282 with 3.56 kills per frame on the year. Wylie was lauded on the first-team for the second straight year after being named the 2013 AVCA Region Freshman of the Year in 2013. She has over 300 kills on the year while hitting .277.

The University of South Carolina Aiken, the host institution for this weekend, will provide live video here and live stats here for Carson-Newman's match against Armstrong State.

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