VIDEO: Ashley Tiernan Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman (8-9, 6-3 SAC) and the Tusculum Pioneers (11-5, 7-2 SAC) will face off for the second time in the 2023 volleyball season at the Pioneer Arena on Tuesday night. 

The Eagles trail 2-4 on the road in 2023. They stand 2-2 on Tuesday matches this season, 18-5 in the Ashley Tiernan Era. 

"As long as we are mentally sound and not let little things affect us, physically we are capable of doing what we need to do tomorrow" said head coach Ashley Tiernan. 

In their first meeting of the season less than a month ago, Carson-Newman took a 3-1 victory over the Pioneers after dropping the first set 25-27. 

Carson-Newman led the Pioneers in kills (58-41), hitting percentage (.220- .110), assists (56-36), service aces (10-1), and digs (76-65). Blair Cherry, Carlee Allbaugh, and Julia Wheeler notched double-doubles on the night. Three Eagles notched double-digit kills and four notched double-digit digs. Carlee Allbaugh and Blair Cherry split setter responsibilities and collected 23 assists a piece. 

Emiah Burrowes was the only Pioneer with double-digit kills. She posted a double-double with 14 kills and 13 digs on the night. Caley Sosnowski tied with Carson-Newman's Bennett McCombs for a match high 18 digs.

Tusculum has won four of their last five matches since dropping the match at Holt Fieldhouse on Sept. 15. They found their second conference defeat and their first home loss to Anderson in straight sets on Sept. 29. In the sweep to Anderson, Tusculum did not score over 20 points in either of the three sets. 

The Pioneers stand 4-1 at home going into the Tuesday night match. 

Emiah Burrowes and Aly Freeland have controlled Tusculum offense for the majority of the season. Burrowes, an AVCA honorable mention All-American, averages 3.33 kills per set, ranking fifth league wide. Freeland, a transfer from Embry-Riddle, averages 2.49 kills per set and a .178 hitting percentage. She collected a season high 23 kills in a 3-2 win against Mars Hill. She sits second in the SAC and 34th nationally in total service aces with 32. 

Madison Adkins has led the Pioneers in assists this year, collecting a season high 47 at Mars Hill. Libero Caley Sosnowski has led defensively. She ranks sixth in the conference in digs per set (3.90) and ninth for total digs (203).

First serve for the match is schedule at 6 p.m EST on Tuesday night. 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.