VIDEO: Julia Wheeler Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - As the team prepares for their season debut on Sept. 1 against Alabama Huntsville, it's time to break down both the libero and setter position.
With the loss of starting libero Hayden Barton and all-SAC setter Abbey Hildenbrand, the Eagles turn to a few fresh faces as well as some returners to fill the holes left behind. In the back row, three returners and two freshmen compete for the libero jersey meanwhile Carlee Albaugh is the only returning setter accompanied by two newbies.
Hayden Barton wrapped up her career last year 10th in school history for all time digs. She was only the ninth Carson-Newman player to earn selections as an all-freshman for the league. Barton left big shoes to fill, but Julia Wheeler has this to say about this defensive roster this season:
"We have so much depth in our team and so much training and fundamentally sound girls, they' re doing their jobs and learning new things. For our newbies coming in they're not really sitting in this freshman role, they're doing a really good job at making sure they're pulling their own weight and that they're still pushing people regardless of what class they're in."
Bennett McCombs has notched playing time in her two seasons at Mossy Creek. She begins her junior season after playing 55 sets in 22 matches last year, garnering 67 digs and 12 service aces.
Mckenna Hall has seen ample time on the court in her three seasons at Mossy Creek. She recorded 57 digs and 18 service aces last season. An all-around athlete, Hall has also recorded two blocks and 24 kills in her time as a defensive specialist at C-N.
Sophomore Cameron Batis returns to play this season after taking a redshirt in 2022. During her freshman season, Batis saw time in 11 sets and six matches, notching 18 digs to her stat sheet.
Freshmen Kara Brantley and Trinity Hafey complete the defensive roster for Carson-Newman. Hafey comes to Mossy Creek from Grand Junction, Colorado after a stellar high school career recording 1,400 career digs, 90 aces, and two league titles. Native to Knoxville, Tennessee, Brantley didn't have as far of a venture to C-N as her freshman counterpart. She accumulated over 1,000 career digs in high school, earning a laundry list of personal accolades and a District Championship title.
Like Barton, Hildenbrand left the program with a huge roll to fill. With one returning setter who saw time in a majority of the season, a pair of fresh faces join the list of setters.
"Those three are putting in a lot of work to be able to put up a killable ball every single time that they get their hands on it." says Julia Wheeler.
Carlee Allbaugh maintains status as the only returning setter for the team. She came to C-N last year after playing two seasons with Lees-McRae. Last season she saw action in 84 sets across 26 matches averaging 5.96 assists per set and 2.24 digs per frame. Allbaugh logged nine double-doubles with 10 matches of at least 20 assists. She accumulated 501 assists last year alone as well as 12 kills and 27 service aces.
Madilyn Pardue and Blair Cherry are the newest setters in the program. After marking a school record for career assists at East Forsyth High School, Pardue will start her freshman season this coming Friday. Cherry, the four time all region pick also makes a strong contender as one of three setters on the roster after her notable high school career.
