VIDEO: Ashley Tiernan Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman volleyball completed its recruiting class Tuesday afternoon announced by coach Ashley Tiernan bringing in six players, four freshman and a Division I and Division II transfer to bolster the roster for the 2022 season.
"Knowing that most of our starters are coming back this year we knew we wanted depth in a couple more positions than we had," Tiernan said. "That was our intent with this recruiting class to make sure we have depth and compeitiveness at every position to give us options regarding what opponent we are playing."
Grace Akard - Middle Blocker
From right down the road in Maryville, Akard joins the Eagles as a middle blocker after racking up over 600 kills during her time at Maryville High School. Guiding the Rebels to a pair of state tournament appearances as a junior and senior, she led the team to two regional titles and three district championships. The four-year starter opened her career as the Rookie of the Year before being named thrice to the all-county team highlighted by being named to the 2020 Region II MVP. Joining her parents as college athletes, her mother, Tammy, played volleyball at Middle Tennessee State while her father, Keith, played football at Mossy Creek.
Carlee Allbaugh - Setter
Transferring from Lees-McRae after two seasons on the court, Allbaugh played in 40 matches for the Bobcats averaging 8.37 assists per set producing 49 service aces. She played and started all 26 matches for the Bobcats in her sophomore season finishing fourth in Conference Carolinas in assists. Allbaugh posted 21 double-doubles during the season and finished with a season-high 50 assists against Emory & Henry on Sept. 10. The 2020 Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year graduated high school Summa Cum Laude and was a member of the National Honor Society. Her brother, Chase, was an All-SAC kicker for Lenoir-Rhyne and currently plays professional with the Bismarck Bucks.
Payton Burkett - Outside Hitter
At Wahalla High School, Burkett starred in softball, basketball, volleyball and track leading her team to the playoffs before being named the team's MVP on top of an all-region selection. Her mother, Carrie, played basketball at Columbus State.
Paige Bussom - Outside Hitter
Moving to the right side as a senior, Bussom hit .312 while leading the Mavericks in blocks. The Palmetto State native helped guide Mauldin to an undefeated run in the region in 2021 before finishing fourth in the 5A state tournament. In the classroom, she was a member of the National Honor Society and was a finalist for the Teacher Cadet of the Year award. Her mother, Christine, played basketball at Shepherd.
Molly Langford - Outside Hitter
Leading Spring Hill High School in blocks in 2021, Langford helped the Broncos win sub-state earning a slot on the All-Academic team. Her mother, Stacy Langford, played volleyball at Southern Nazarene University and her uncle, Justin Oberndorfer, was on the basketball team at Southern Nazarene University.
Calla Shotwell - Outside Hitter
Shotwell joins the Eagles after a stint with Memphis in the western portion of the state producing a kill in the lone action she received in 2020. At Blackman High School, she racked up over 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs piling up MVP, all-conference, all-district and all-tournament team distinctions. Her father, Robert, played baseball at Belmont before spending 1996 in the Minnesota Twins organization producing 18 hits in 25 games for Elizabethton of the Appalachian League.
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