BREVARD, N.C. – For the eighth time in South Atlantic Conference action, the Carson-Newman Eagles (17-3, 11-1 SAC) swept an opponent as the Eagles topped the Brevard Tornados (8-11, 5-8 SAC) Saturday afternoon at Boshamer Gymnasium 25-21, 25-21 and 25-15.
"We had a very workmanlike mentality today," Carson-Newman coach Dan Ahiers said. "Do our jobs and get out of the gym with a win. It was nice to see when our energy wasn't super high we could switch gears and win in a different way."
A couple spurts for the Eagles in the first set made the difference as the visiting team used a 6-2 run to take an early 9-6 lead. Brevard cut the deficit to two points before four unanswered points by Carson-Newman extended the lead to 19-14. An attack error by Savannah Cox capped the opening frame. Senior outside hitter Sara Fairley (Charlotte, N.C.) had seven kills on a .385 attack percentage in the set.
With the score deadlocked at five in the second stanza, Carson-Newman went on a 7-0 run capped by a service ace from sophomore setter Anna Patton (Franklin, Tenn.). Brevard closed the gap to 22-20, but a trio of kills capped by freshman middle blocker Natalie Harris (Monroe, N.C.) sealed the 2-0 lead. Senior outside hitter Molly Locke (College Grove, Tenn.) piled up seven kills while hitting .462 in the set.
The beginning portion of the third frame was tight with the Eagle getting separation at 11-7. Carson-Newman used a 7-1 run to go on top 18-8. The ten-point lead would end up being the final margin as a kill by freshman outside hitter Cecily Clark (Cincinnati, Ohio) closed out the match.
The Eagles won each statistical category with a .298 hitting percentage, 52 digs, six service aces and five blocks compared to a .168 attack percentage, 45 digs, one service ace and three blocks for the Tornados.
Fairley finished with 16 kills while hitting .314 to go along with six digs while Locke had her eighth double-double of the season with 10 kills and 14 digs. Patton tallied 37 assists, eight digs and three service aces on the day.
Fatima Gharachorloo was the lone Brevard player to finish in double figures in kills with 10 kills on a .300 attack percentage and 11 digs on the day while Erin Barr had 23 assists.
Carson-Newman closes out a seven-match road trip Tuesday evening at Mars Hill with first serve scheduled for 7 p.m. against the Lions.
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