VIDEO: Highlights
VIDEO: Ashley Tiernan Interview
VIDEO: Julia Wheeler Interview
VIDEO: Emmagrace Cobb Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman Volleyball overpowered Mars Hill in four sets at Holt Fieldhouse on Friday night.
Taylor Adams rallied seven service aces for the Eagles, the most from any Carson-Newman volleyball player since Megan Oldenburger posted a program record of nine on Nov. 16, 2019 at Catawba.
C-N as a unit proved their strength at the end line collecting 12 total service aces against the Lions. This marks the sixth time this season they have earned over 10 aces in a match.
"Mars Hill is one of those teams that are gonna keep the ball in play, they're not gonna have a lot of errors." said head coach Ashley Tiernan. "They're a great team to play and are always a hard fight for us. I'm super proud of the composure we held the whole time."
Julia Wheeler amassed a match high of 19 kills, while Adams scrounged up 12. Mars Hill was led in kills by Jada Cannon with nine.
Five Eagles ended the match with double digit dig efforts. Julia Wheeler's 16 digs led the Eagles with Blair Cherry, Trinity Hafey, Bennett McCombs, and Mckenna Hall not far behind.
Friday night recorded the fifth time this season that setter Blair Cherry held a hitting percentage of .500 or over. She garnered 5 kills against Mars Hill, a new personal career record. Her 42 assists on the night marked the third straight match that she has recorded a new career high in assists.
"Blair is really flourishing into this super mature athletic setter that we all need her to be. She's been putting up really killable balls which makes my life a lot easier." said outside hitter Julia Wheeler.
Mars Hill recorded 85 digs on the evening, with Laela Jimenez collecting a match high 21. The Lions struggled in attacking, managing only a .075 kill percentage.
Set 1 (25-15)
After grappling back and forth for the lead, C-N shot ahead with a six point surplus at 17-11. Mars Hill could not catch back up, and the Eagles left them behind at 25-15 to close out set 1. Carson-Newman held the Lions to a .026 hitting percentage, while dishing out three service aces, 21 digs, and 12 kills with only two errors.
Set 2 (22-25)
After tying up 10 times and trading the lead six times, Mars Hill took set two with a .195 hitting efficiency, their highest on the evening.
Set 3 (25-19)
Set three was highlighted by four kills and three aces from Taylor Adams while Julia Wheeler posted a .455 hitting efficiency with five kills. Carson-Newman pulled ahead late in the set but held the Lions back to a six point deficit to clinch the frame.
Set 4 (25-23)
To end the match and mark the victory, the orange and blue grabbed the lead after a final tie at 11-11. They held off Mars Hill fighting to stay in the game and concluded set four with 16 kills, 29 digs, and three total blocks.
Carson-Newman takes on Lincoln-Memorial on Saturday at 2 p.m inside Holt Fieldhouse. Fans can watch live on Flo Sports with a subscription or head to @CN_Eagles on Twitter and Instagram for in-game updates.
