JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – A Tuesday evening affair pits in-state rivals Carson-Newman and Lincoln Memorial at Mary Mars Gymnasium for a 7 p.m. first serve as the two schools jockey for position in the South Atlantic Conference standings.
"The service line is where it's going to start," Carson-Newman coach Dave Franklin said. "Every game starts from there. We are going to put some time and effort in to make sure we are ready to bring it from the service line. It's going to be good team defense and our hitters making really smart decisions.
With a win Tuesday night, Carson-Newman would win its 200th game against a SAC foe to become the fourth school in the history of the league to crest the 200-win mark and join Wingate (323), Catawba (240) and Lenoir-Rhyne (211).
The Eagles are seeking their fourth straight win and their first victory on a Tuesday since Nov. 3, 2015 when they swept Tusculum at home. C-N has dropped its last seven matches on Tuesday.
Lincoln Memorial has won each of the last four meetings between the programs as a Sept. 19 encounter saw the Railsplitters win in four sets at Holt Fieldhouse to improve their all-time record to 30-16 against the Eagles.
Overall, C-N produced a higher hitting clip at .159 to .129 while recording more blocks with 12 to 10. LMU registered 90 digs to Carson-Newman's 75.
Anna Patton notched a double-double with 15 assists and 11 digs and Morgan Ballard tallied 19 digs and three service aces. Marnie Streeter paced the offense with nine kills on a .316 attack percentage while adding six digs and two aces.
Kiera Holland piled up 13 kills and 11 digs while Rylee Storms added 12 kill and 10 digs on the front row for coach Jenny Michael's group. Samantha Cash handed out 38 assists adding 15 digs while Erica Whiteaker had 34 digs, five assists and five aces.
The programs are currently tied for fifth in the leauge standings. C-N has dropped each of the last six matches played in Harrogate since sweeping LMU on Oct. 7, 2014. There is not one player on the current Eagle roster that stepped foot on the court the last time the Eagles won in Mary Mars Gym.
After dropping five straight matches, LMU has picked up wins in five of its last seven. The 'Splitters have been better at home in 2017 posting a 7-3 mark inside of the friendly confines. In 10 affairs at home, the unit has posted a .221 hitting percentage as opposed to a .133 margin on the road.
Tuesday will feature the top two liberos statistically in the league this season as Ballard and Whiteaker each average 7.03 digs per set. C-N's sophomore has posted the top two dig tallies in the nation this season with 58 and 53 while Whiteaker has the third-best number of 51.
Holland is the top offensive option ranking fourth in the league with 3.51 kills per set. In her career against C-N, the outside hitter has 78 kills including three matches with at least 13.
Cash is out for the season as the team's setter after posting almost 10 assists per set through the first 10 matches of the year. Michael has used the 5-2 with Olivia Brock and Danielle Stachura taking the place.
To follow along to the match, the LMU sports information group will provide live stats and video. As always fans can hit the follow button on Twitter to @CNathletics for the latest information.
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