JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - The Carson-Newman beach volleyball kicks off the 2023 campaign with a trip to LaGrange, Ga., on Feb. 3rd.
Last year, the Eagles picked up a program record of 15 wins, including three postseason victories.
"The team has decided that we are shooting for 20 wins," beach volleyball head coach Cat Lind said. "I fully expect us to hit the ground running and get a bunch of those in February."
Apart of the Eagles' recipe for success will be junior Sierra Still. Still currently sits fourth on the list for the most winning sets in program history with 26. Morgan Siwec currently holds the record with 32, followed by Lindsey Geurin, along with senior Mia Toribio with 29.
"Sierra has played as one of the top seeds her whole time here," Lind said. "She's very pivotal for our program."
Still will share the number one seed with newcomer Truth Hafey, a transfer from Georgia State. Hafey had primarily played indoor volleyball before switching to beach volleyball last spring at Georgia State.
Senior Abbey Hildenbrand and Freshman Ava Fountain are slotted in at the number two spot for the Eagles. Hildenbrand held a record of 12-16 last season, playing primarily in the one or two spot. Fountain led The King's Academy (West Palm Beach, Fl.) to an undefeated regular season for the high school's inaugural campaign.
"They have a great connection," Lind said. "We have a little bit of a grandma, granddaughter thing going on there."
Juniors Julia Wheeler and McKenna Hall will play at the number three spot. Wheeler is coming off a historic indoor season where she earned All-American laurels. Wheeler was 10th in the country in kills per set (4.38) and fifth in total kills (504). Hall is coming off a solid season last year, where she finished with a record of 15-12, primarily in the number three spot.
Senior Kenzie Palmer and junior Taylor Keeran will fill the four spot for the Eagles. Palmer saw limited action for the Eagles last season. She only played in 17 matches, but four were just exhibition matchups. Overall, Palmer held a record of 9-8 on the season. Keeran played exclusively in the five spot last season. She finished with a 16-13 record on the year.
"Taylor has improved so much over the last year, especially being a crossover player," Lind said. "Kenzie has been so consistent for us as well."
Freshman Ashlyn Phair and senior Piper Halcrow finish the lineup at the five spot. During her high school career, Phair earned first-team all-league honors, all-state honorable mention, and a 5A championship. Halcrow saw an increased amount of work during the 2022 season. She finished with a record of 14-11, with seven wins at the number three spot.
The Eagles last faced off against LaGrange on Mar. 6th of 2020, during LaGrange's inaugural season. Carson-Newman won the match 5-0. Mia Toribio is the only remaining player that played in the first matchup with LaGrange. Toribio won her set in back-to-back sets with scores of 21-13 and 21-14.
Truett McConnell is heading into their second year with a beach volleyball program. In their inaugural season last year, the Bears finished with a 5-25 record. The Bears were swept 5-0 in 19 of their 30 matches.
For previews, recaps, and interviews following the 2023 beach volleyball campaign, visit CNEagles.com or follow Carson-Newman Athletics on social media.
