WINGATE, N.C. – A four-match journey wrapped up as Carson-Newman lost in three sets to Wingate 16-25, 17-25 and 17-25 Saturday evening in Cuddy Arena during South Atlantic Conference play.
"It was a good response from our kids today," Carson-Newman coach Dave Franklin said. "The scoreboard won't say it but we played much better today and as a coach, I am hoping we can build from it going forward. Wingate is a very good team and well-coached. They are the benchmark of our conference and I am excited to see where we are at as a program and where we need to go."
Wingate (14-0, 6-0) took an early 4-1 lead in the first set before Carson-Newman (1-9, 1-5) battled back to pull within one at 6-5. Eight of the next 10 points were won by the Bulldogs to go ahead 14-7. The Eagles pulled within six points once by an attack error by sophomore outside hitter Ally King (Cincinnati, Ohio) sealed the opening frame for the home team.
The second stanza was the closest of any of the sets with four ties and two lead changes. Despite facing a 7-1 deficit at the outset of the set, Carson-Newman reeled off a 9-2 spurt to take a 10-9 edge. Franklin's group led 12-10 but saw coach Shelton Collier's team win eighth in-a-row to take control of the set. After staving off a couple of match points, a service error from King capped the second set.
The third game was much closer to begin with the two teams tied at six. Wingate slowly started to pull away surging ahead 15-8. It was the separation Wingate need and Carson-Newman could not overcome. Back-to-back kills by Abby Saehler gave the match to the Bulldogs.
In the contest, Wingate pounded out a .213 attack percentage with 61 digs, nine service aces and three total blocks compared to a .071 hitting clip, 49 digs, four service aces and three blocks.
Freshman middle blocker Alex Biro (Ootlewah, Tenn.) led the Eagles with 10 kills and a career-high .625 attack percentage. Junior setter Anna Patton (Franklin, Tenn.) notched a double-double for the second time this season with 21 assists and 12 digs.
Saehler led all players with 14 kills on a .542 hitting percentage and seven digs.
Carson-Newman plays its first of three matches at Holt Fieldhouse Tuesday evening when in-state foe Tusculum makes the short trek to Mossy Creek for a 7 p.m. first serve. Broadcast coverage begins five minutes prior to first serve on cneagles.com/live on the Eagle Sports Network.
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