JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman will stay in Mossy Creek this weekend for some SAC action against Mars Hill (7-3, 3-2) on Friday at 6 p.m. and Lincoln-Memorial (7-8, 1-4)on Saturday at 2 p.m inside Holt Fieldhouse.
The Eagles are currently 2-0 at home in 2023, defeating Emory & Henry in a sweep and holding a 3-1 decision over Tusculum.
C-N goes into their weekend after a road loss against Catawba on Tuesday where they demonstrated individual strength but struggled with cohesion that innevitabely cost them the match. They look to take advantage of the home court and find unity as a team in Holt Fieldhouse this weekend.
The Eagles keep an overall lead over Mars Hill 42-27 but trail LMU 25-32. C-N broke a three game losing streak against the Lions in their last matchup in 2022. Tiernan's crew has not dropped a match to the Railsplitters since 2018.
Mars Hill is 3-2 in league action this season, dropping a match to Lenoir-Ryhne and one to Tusculum. They are currently running a four game winning streak on the road.
The Lions were projected to finish sixth in the SAC this season. Setter Jordan Schmucker and defensive specialist Laela Jimenez were both picked onto all-conference pre-seasons teams.
They have exhibited a strong defense, leading the conference and ranking fifth nationally in digs per set (19.11). The unit also leads the SAC in team attacks per set (40.24) and currently hold a .187 hitting efficiency percentage.
Defensive specialist Laela Jimenez is first conference wide for her count of 5.89 digs per frame and second for total digs with 224 so far in 2023.
Setter Jordan Schmucker ranked second in the league for assists per set, putting up an average of 9.14. Middle blocker Kaitlyn Grant has shown an efficient offense and places second SAC wide for her .386 hitting percentage.
Mars Hill has had at least one athlete with 20 or more digs in the last four consecutive conference matchups.
Carson-Newman sees the Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters on Saturday for their second meeting of the season. On Sept 5, the Eagles prevailed in a five set victory, the closest match between the two since 2021.
The Railsplitters are 1-4 in conference play and 2-2 on the road. They lost to Emory & Henry on Sept. 19, giving the wasps their first league win since joining the South Atlantic Conference. LMU have also seen defeat to Tusculum and Mars Hill this season.
Lincoln Memorial leads the South Atlantic Conference in total team blocks and total team service aces. Collectively, the Railsplitters average 13.27 digs, 10.98 assists, and 11.82 kills per set. Opposite hitter Kristen Moehring sits second in SAC for total kills after rallying 192 on the season so far. She is accompanied by Outside Hitter Ketura Margaret in third with 172. Libero Olivia Snyder has also show efficiency in the back row posting 2.86 digs per set.
First serve is set for 6:00 P.M Friday and 2:00 P.M Saturday. To follow along fans can watch on Flo Sports with a subscription or head to @CN_Eagles on Twitter and Instagram for in-game updates.
