JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – In day one of the Ray Thrasher Classic, Carson-Newman defeated UAH in five sets to start off their season. The second match of the day against Trevecca Nazarene ended in a defeat against the Eagles in three sets.
C-N vs UAH (21-25, 24-26, 25-23, 25-22, 15-9)
After dropping the first two sets of the match, Carson-Newman found their groove with a comeback to take the victory 15-9 in the fifth set.
Sets one and two started slow for the Eagles, beginning with a four point deficit in the first set. The two teams went neck and neck, tying the game up from scores 8-8 to 14-14. Carson-Newman then took the lead until another tie at 19-19 where the Chargers left C-N behind at 25-21.
Set three changed the trajectory of the match with four kills from Taylor Adams and three from Julia Wheeler and Molly Langford. Skylor Weaver swung a perfect three kills in three attempts. C-N led the entire set until a tie at 16-16 and the match remained tight until the Eagles took the final score 25-23.
Set four ended in comeback fashion as well, the Chargers leading the entire match until a tie at 23-23 gave Carson-Newman the extra push. The set was highlighted by a 1.00 kill percentage from Emmagrace Cobb and seven digs from freshman Trinity Hafey.
In the beginning points of the deciding set, Carson-Newman and Alabama-Huntsville traded the lead a few times before four scoring runs of at least three points sealed the victory for the Eagles.
Julia Wheeler recorded the team's singular double-double on the day, with 18 kills and 11 digs. A variety of different rotations were tried out during the match with eight separate starters and three libero changes. Carson-Newman shot .189 at the net assisted by split setters Blair Cherry and Carlee Allbaugh. Skylor Weaver led in blocks, two solo and three assists.
After their winning debut, the Eagles fell to TNU in three sets. They gained the lead early in the first set 5-2 and kept ahead of the Trojans until finally a tie-game at 16-16. Trevecca grabbed the lead to win the set 25-22.
TNU started the second with a lead until Carson-Newman jumped ahead with a pair of points at 8-7. The matched remained even until a six-point scoring run gave Trevecca the set.
In set three, the Eagles jumped ahead with a lead at 7-2 but the Trojans responded with five straight points to tie the game. They kept the lead and outscored C-N 18-8 after the tie.
Blair Cherry led in assists with 21, three digs, and two kills. Julia Wheeler flirted with a double-double scoring nine points and nine digs.
The Eagles will see Bemidji State and the #10 University of Missouri St. Louis on day 2 of the Ray Thrasher Classic.
