VIDEO: Dave Franklin Interview
VIDEO: Morgan Harlan Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman picked up its first win of the season Friday evening at Holt Fieldhouse with a 25-22, 25-23 and 25-21 sweep of Mars Hill to open South Atlantic Conference action and give coach Dave Franklin his first career collegiate coaching win.
"I'm happy for the girls," Carson-Newman coach Dave Franklin said. "The players are going to win the match. If they lose, I have to train them better so that's on me. How exciting for them, that's what it's all about.
"Our conference is going to determine regional rankings. The goal will always be to at least make the NCAA Tournament around here so that first win towards that means a lot. It's a good job on their part. We are a young team. It's their first time in the home environment. They had a little nerves and it's huge for them to have a little experience."
The home team did not commit an attack error in the first set hitting .378 as a group. The two sides trading punches early in the first set. The Eagles led by one point at 10-9 before storming out to a 17-10 advantage. Mars Hill closed within two points at 24-22 when freshman middle blocker Natalie Harris (Monroe, N.C.) pounded a ball to the surface to capture the opening set.
The Lions held an 14-11 advantage midway through the second stanza when C-N scored six unanswered points to seize control of the frame. Harris once again put the set away with a kill after Mars Hill closed to within a point.
The third set saw eight ties and six lead changes with Carson-Newman's first separation coming when the set was tied at 14. The Eagles won four of the next five points to go ahead 19-15. A kill by sophomore right side Allie Foster (Johnson City, Tenn.) sealed the deal.
Carson-Newman hit .227 with 62 digs, seven service aces and three total blocks while Mars Hill was held to a .068 attack percentage with 65 digs, seven service aces and zero total blocks.
Harris led all players with 10 kills while making just one attack error to hit .450 in the match. Senior libero Taylor Lowe (Franklin, Tenn.) collected 18 digs while sophomore Ally King (Cincinnati, Ohio) reeled in a career-high 18 scoops. Junior setter Morgan Harlan (Ladera Ranch, Calif.) handed out a career-high 27 assists.
"We are really happy with it," Harlan said. "It's really hard to go into our first weekend and lose the whole time, but I think with our energy and our confidence and since it's a new team, we really came together tonight so I was really happy to see the result."
Sara Fahrenbrook dished out 24 assists while Mary Kate Griffin had a team-high eight kills and Rebecca Butler picked up seven kills.
Carson-Newman continues league play Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. when Lincoln Memorial stops by Mossy Creek for a battle of Tennessee programs. Video coverage can be seen at cneagles.com/live beginning five minutes before the first serve.
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