VIDEO: Ashley Tiernan Interview
VIDEO: Emily Harnischfeger Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Behind its most efficient offensive day of the season, Carson-Newman secured its second sweep of 2021 pummeling Newberry 25-20, 25-23 and 25-17 at Holt Fieldhouse Friday evening in the penultimate South Atlantic Conference contest of the year.
The Eagles tallied a .324 attack margin, their first time this year besting .300, for their best attacking effort since producing a .361 percentage against Catawba on Oct. 5, 2019.
"We really focused on rhythm today to find a way through the small, little lull that we had been in the last week or two," Carson-Newman coach Ashley Tiernan said. "We really wanted to make our name known and we really hadn't done that lately. We worked on certain shots and that our scouting report was where it needed to be. We were ready to battle today."
Emily Harnischfeger (Macedon, N.Y.) tallied the most efficient night of her career with a .435 clip producing 10 kills without a miscue. It was the fifth time in her career with double-digit kills as she added seven digs.
"I think it all came from our passing and setting," Harnischfeger said. "Everybody was disciplined. We really worked on the finer details and I think that really showed tonight. I think our scouting report throughout the week helped us change up our shot keeping the other side guessing. I think our leadership held each other accountable to limit those errors and do the little things."
Megan Oldenburger (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) added 10 smashes and a team-high nine digs. Katie Parnell (Atlanta) continued a consistent string with seven kills on a .400 clip with fellow middle Kaina Roehrkasse (Fort Collins, Colo.) registering six kills on a .417 hitting percentage and six digs.
Taylor Rohr (Windsor, Colo.) racked up 19 assists and six digs and Madison Rademacher (Broomfield, Colo.) adding 17 helpers and six scoops. Hayden Barton (Hixson, Tenn.) tacked on nine digs and three aces.
Carson-Newman (6-2, 6-2) continued its dominance over Newberry (4-4, 4-4) with its sixth straight win over the Wolves and third by way of a sweep. The Eagles are 18-5 in the all-time series at Mossy Creek.
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— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CNathletics) April 3, 2021
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1⃣.5⃣ @erinedwards31 blocks
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Seven aces paved the way to the Eagles controlling the first frame with the team reeling off seven of the first eight points. Despite Newberry pulling within four at 13-9, C-N scored seven straight to take control at 20-9. The Wolves weren't done yet scoring eight of nine to pull within four at 21-17 but the Eagles had the answer taking the game on a net violation.
Newberry surged to an early lead in the second stanza but allowed five unanswered to fall into a 17-14 hole. The Wolves bounced back by scoring five of six to go ahead 20-19 but the Eagles scored three straight to take the lead for good winning the set on a kill to the middle of the floor by Edwards.
It was a tight start to the third set with the teams all square at eight before C-N took charge going ahead 13-11 before rattling off 10 of the next 13 to take a 23-14 lead. Oldenburger put the finishing touches on the night with her 10th kill.
Natasha Bannister paced the visiting side of the net with 11 kills while three players notched six. Zoe Dinkins did not make a mistake on 15 swings with her six smashes adding four block assists. Avery Webb tallied the lone double-double of the night with 26 assists and 10 digs.
The Eagles close out the regular season on Saturday at 3 p.m. against Anderson from Holt Fieldhouse in an affair that will air on cneagles.com/live with coverage on the Eagle Sports Network.
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