JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman will play host to its first South Atlantic Conference opponent of the 2013 season Tuesday night at 7 p.m. against Tusculum College.

The Pioneers participated in the Carson-Newman Classic over the weekend winning all three matches, including a five set upset of No. 25 Palm Beach Atlantic Friday afternoon. The 3-0 start for Tusculum is its best start since 1995.

The Eagles finished the first weekend with a .222 hitting percentage, second-highest among SAC schools in the first weekend of the year while notching 24 total blocks, fourth-best among conference programs.

Tusculum was anchored over the weekend by freshman Rachel Garnett, a Carson-Newman Classic All-Tournament team selection. The Cincinnati native tallied 3.73 kills per set, good for second-most among participants while ranking third in the showcase with a .304 hitting percentage and 3.95 points per set.

The Pioneers are coached by Michael Robinson, who is in his sixth season. The 2012 squad finished 24-8 advancing to the Southeast Regional Final and the NCAA Sweet 16.

Robinson's crew returns seven letter-winners from 2012 including Preseason All-SAC first selections Caitlyn Dean, Kassie Voelker and Ashley Sarmiento while Megan Hasse and Danae Stauffer received second team recognition.

Dean recorded 5.09 digs per set in the Carson-Newman Classic, the second-most among all players. The Fort Wayne, Ind. native is closing in on the top 20 of career digs in Division II history as she nears the 2,500 mark. She has been selected to the first team All-SAC in each of her first three seasons and has a D-2 all-time best 7.13 digs per set in her career.

Voelker paced the field in the Carson-Newman Classic with a .367 hitting percentage while finishing second with one block per set in the three matches the Pioneers participated in.

Tusculum was selected second in the preseason poll receiving one first place vote and 109 points behind Wingate's 121.  

Last season, Carson-Newman dropped both matches to the Pioneers including a five-set loss on September 18 at Tusculum.

The match will be broadcast online for the Eagle Sports Network by visiting cneagles.com/live