VIDEO: Ashley Tiernan Interview
ROCK HILL, S.C. – After a torrid start to the match, Carson-Newman committed 14 attack errors in the final two sets falling to No. 25 Wingate in a battle of division champions, 22-25, 16-25 and 19-25, in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament Title Match Saturday at the Events Center.
"We worked really hard to get here," Carson-Newman coach Ashley Tiernan said. "I am excited for being here in the championship game. A lot of things could have gone different. We could have played a little bit more steady but we learned how to deal with pressure today. We know that we are in it for next week. We are going to come in next week and take what we learned from handling that pressure today and hopefully come away with a couple more wins."
In its seventh journey to the championship round, the Eagles fall for the fourth time advancing to the final round for the third time in the last six years. Carson-Newman (27-5) had been 18-1 in three-set matches for the year being swept for just the second time this season.
Wingate (29-2) beats the Orange and Blue in the last round for the third time snapping the Eagles' eight-match winning streak in neutral affairs. The Bulldogs clinch the automatic berth to the postseason and will likely host the regional while Carson-Newman is third in the latest region poll.
Julia Wheeler (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) was the lone player to finish in double figures for the match with 10 kills adding five digs. Her season total sits at 496, the second-most by an Eagle in a single-season in school history.
Blake Cherry (Cookeville, Tenn.) added six smashes and eight digs while Skylor Weaver (Katy, Texas) logged five kills without a misfire on 11 attacks. Abbey Hildenbrand (Parker, Colo.) totaled 26 assists, six digs and 2.5 blocks.
The Eagles were more efficient in the opening game hitting .262 and held an early 8-5 edge before the Bulldogs scored six straight and eight of nine to go on top 13-9. C-N trimmed the margin to two twice but it came at 23-21 and 24-22 before Shannon Kasprak dumped a ball to the middle of the floor to put the 'Dogs on top 1-0.
In the second set, Wingate captured six of the first eight points. Once again the Eagles chiseled but to no avail watching a 10-8 score flip to 24-14 before Lorna Stacherski put a ball down in a set where the Bulldogs hit .312.
Errors once again plagued the Eagles in the third committing eight errors with nine kills. C-N opened with a 3-1 edge but an 8-1 Wingate outburst flipped the script. The Orange and Blue battled to trim the deficit to 17-15 but the Bulldogs had the answer pulling away to complete the sweep.
No Wingate players posted double figures in kills but seven different players had at least three led by Gabby Saye's eight. Kasprak passed out 31 assists with six digs and four kills. Molly Lambillotte finished with seven kills and seven digs and Maggie Mullen posted 10 scoops.
C-N will find out its spot in the NCAA Tournament with the official NCAA selection show is scheduled to air Sunday night, Nov. 13, at 10:30 p.m. on ncaa.com where the 64 teams from Division II will be announced for the 2022 NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Championship. Full coverage will be available on all social platforms and cneagles.com.
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