HARROGATE, Tenn. – League-leading Lincoln Memorial swept Carson-Newman 25-14, 25-14 and 25-20 in South Atlantic Conference action Tuesday night at Mary Mars Gymnasium to maintain its one-match lead in the conference.
"We ran into a buzz saw tonight," Carson-Newman coach Dave Franklin said. "We played a high quality opponent in their gym on Dig Pink night and they came out from the first whistle executing at the highest level. I thought we served tough but they passed better. They took great swings and kept the pressure on us all night.
"I thought our effort was great but this is one of those nights in sports where your opponent simply outplays you with no let up. We have a big weekend ahead. There is no time to sulk on this one."
Lincoln Memorial (17-3, 11-1) has now won three consecutive matches against Carson-Newman (3-17, 2-10) after dropping a trio of matches in succession.
The first set was deadlocked at five with the home group won eight of the next nine points to take a 13-6 advantage. The closest the visitors got the rest of the way was a six-point spread as a smash from Kiera Holland put the 'Splitters ahead 1-0.
The Eagles hit -.043 with six kills and eight attack errors in the second set. LMU took a 14-2 lead out of the gates thanks in part to five hitting mistakes from C-N. Franklin's team won consecutive points two times in the frame before an attack error by C-N clinched the set for LMU.
In the third set, Carson-Newman was able to hit at a .257 clip with two blocks. Lincoln Memorial led by as many as seven points The Eagles used a 4-1 spurt to close the contest within four at 22-18. The 'Splitters had the separation they need to win as Kaylee Stone's kill closed the book on the contest.
Overall on the day, C-N finished with a .111 hitting percentage, 41 digs, five blocks and for the first time this season did not record a service ace. LMU piled up a .287 attack percentage with 58 scoops, 11 service aces and on rejection.
Freshman outside hitter Marnie Streeter (Goldvein, Va.) led the Eagles with 10 kills while hitting .269. Rookie middle blocker Alex Biro (Ootlewah, Tenn.) chipped in six smashes.
Junior setter Anna Patton (Franklin, Tenn.) finished with 23 assists and nine digs and senior libero Taylor Lowe (Franklin, Tenn.) tallied 11 digs.
Tone Gill led the charge for 'Splitters with 10 kills and a .750 attack percentage. Holland, Jamie Jehne and Samantha Cash each had eight kills. Abby Cash notched 23 assists and seven digs while Erica Whiteaker had a match-high 18 digs.
Carson-Newman is back in action this weekend with a pair of home matches against Anderson (S.C.) and Newberry. The Friday evening contest versus the Trojans begins at 7 p.m. on the Eagle Sports Network by going to cneagles.com/live for the video broadcast.
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