VIDEO: Ashley Tiernan interview
South Atlantic Conference Volleyball Preseason Poll
ROCK HILL, S.C. - The Eagles will begin their season encouraged after the South Atlantic Conference released its preseason volleyball poll this Wednesday morning.
C-N is projected to finish second according to this year's preseason poll, with 130 votes. This standing is the highest vote for Mossy Creek volleyball since 2009 under head coach Shannon Mincey.
Carson-Newman has proven to be a strong team in the SAC over the years, finishing in the top-five for the past six years straight. After a total record of 27-6 and a conference record of 16-2, C-N holds the reigning Mountain Division Champion title and finished second overall in the league last season.
"We're gonna see it as a challenge but we're also going to see it as expectations and standards and there's still that number one spot to go take, just like every single year" says coach Tiernan. "Number two means that we have something to look forward to and know that our standards are high and we're just going to push every day to make sure that we overcome all challenges."
Carson-Newman's only two losses in regular season went once to Mars Hill and once to Wingate. Wingate was voted to win the conference this season for the 18th consecutive year. After Carson-Newman, Anderson stands third on the poll with 120 votes, with Lenoir-Rhyne at fourth and Tusculum at fifth. Mars Hill places 6th on the preseason poll with 92 votes as Newberry trails with 69 votes. Catawba, Limestone, and Lincoln Memorial find themselves in the 8-10 ranks while Emory & Henry, Coker, and UVA Wise finish out the poll.
The Eagles graduated two vital starters for the program, Abbey Hildenbrand and Hayden Barton leaving a hole in both the libero and setter position. Though Tiernan will have to fill those roles left open, she still maintains a strong roster of 14 returners, six of which saw time in over 80 sets last season. Five freshman also join Tiernan's team this year to fight for a starting position.
On top of this year's high ranking, three athletes were named All-SAC first team. Julia Wheeler (Murfreesboro, Tenn), Emmagrace Cobb (Greensboro, N.C.), and Blake Cherry (Cookeville, Tenn) litter the first team roster this year.
Carson-Newman hits the road to start their preseason play in Nashville, Tenn on Sept. 1 and 2 to play Alabama Huntsville, Trevecca Nazarene, Bemidji St., and Missouri St. Louis.
2023 SAC Volleyball Preseason Poll - # of votes
1. Wingate (11) - 140
2. Carson-Newman (2) - 130
3. Anderson - 120
4. Lenoir-Rhyne - 112
5. Tusculum - 100
6. Mars Hill - 92
7. Newberry - 69
8. Catawba - 66
9. Limestone - 65
10. Lincoln Memorial - 46
11. Emory & Henry - 30
T-12. Coker - 22
T-12. UVA Wise - 22
