VIDEO: Dave Franklin Interview
HARROGATE, Tenn. – In the first-ever meeting between the two programs, Carson-Newman raced by Emmanuel 25-16, 25-22 and 25-16 behind 15 kills and a .419 attack percentage from Megan Oldenburger Saturday afternoon at Mary Mars Gym.
"It was the best of the weekend," Carson-Newman coach Dave Franklin said of the performance. "It's what you are hoping for over the first weekend. We were more consistent today. We were up and down yesterday at times. We left our starters out there today to see what they could do over three sets and they remained consistent. We didn't really have any lulls."
After losing the first point of the day, the Eagles rattled off four straight points to take a lead it would not concede the rest of the set. The Lions closed the gap to three at 11-8 only to see C-N reel off eight of the next nine to go on top 19-9. Franklin's group won the final four points capped by the eighth kill of the frame from Megan Oldenburger (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) to seal the first frame.
The second stanza featured eight ties and with Emmanuel on top 8-7, C-N scored five of the next six to take the lead. The tally would be tied one more time, at 12, as the Eagles surged late sealing the second on a kill by Kendall Cooley (Castle Rock, Colo.).
In the third set, Carson-Newman's bolt came after the Lions tied the margin at four as the Eagles won 10 of the next 13 to take a 14-7 advantage. Franklin's club put it on cruise control as Abbie McFarlane (Mckinley, Texas) put the finishing touches on the match with a kill.
Oldenburger's 15 kills were a match high as she was the only player in double figures. She added seven digs in the match. Marnie Streeter (Goldvein, Va.) fell a kill shy of a double-double with nine kills and 10 digs.
Taylor Rohr (Windsor, Colo.) and Madi Rademacher (Broomfield, Colo.) handed out 17 and 16 assists respectively. Morgan Ballard (Weaverville, N.C.) picked up 24 digs while resetting her career high with seven assists.
Overall, the Eagles offense hit at a .295 clip on 43 kills with 64 digs and three service aces. The Lions countered with a .113 attack percentage, 33 kills, 54 digs and six aces.
Julie De Blanck led the other side of the net with eight kills on a .22 attack percentage. Stephanie Hardy handed out 26 assists while Aysha Avery notched 17 digs.
The Eagles continue their early season road swing with a trip to USC Aiken on Thursday evening for a 6 p.m. first serve against the Pacers. It will be the first match of the SAC/Peach Belt Crossover over three days.
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