Swisher, James block L-R’s path, 3-2

Swisher, James block L-R’s path, 3-2

HICKORY, N.C. – Carson-Newman's Carly Swisher (Colorado Springs, Colo.) had 18 kills and Nikki James (Cookeville, Tenn.) added 10 blocks as the Lady Eagles rallied from a 2-1 deficit to top L-R, 3-2 (22-25, 25-13, 19-25, 29-27 and 15-13), on Friday night in South Atlantic Conference volleyball action.

Swisher hit at a .471 clip and James, the nation's leading blocker, added eight block assists and two solos to lead C-N to its third-straight SAC win.

With the win, C-N improves to 8-6 and 3-5 in SAC play. L-R moves to 10-7 and 2-4. Carson-Newman will face Brevard at noon tomorrow to try and make it four SAC wins in eight days.

Lauren Santarelli (Colorado Springs, Colo.) added 14 kills and nine digs as the Lady Eagles rallied.

Lenoir-Rhyne was led by senior outside hitter Brooke Christenbury (Mooresville, N.C.), who finished with a team-high 15 kills, while junior setter Meredith Lutz (Newton, N.C.) added a match-high 56 assists and nine digs in the losing effort.

Senior middle blocker Chelsea Hill (Lexington, N.C.) tallied 13 kills for the Bears, who suffered their second consecutive setback.

Carson-Newman, who hit .333 for the contest, also received 13 kills from Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and the Lady Eagles prevailed for the third straight contest.