JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - After a weekend spent in Aiken, S.C, the Eagles will return to Mossy Creek 1-3. On day two of the invitational, C-N found their sole win of the weekend against Belmont Abbey, then lost to the hosts of the tournament. Though their trip did not end as they had hoped, head coach Ashley Tiernan highlights the silver lining of their results:
"This weekend brought a lot of growth and opportunities for us. We will get back in the gym this week and get ready for our first home game on Tuesday."
C-N vs BAC (25-15, 25-12, 25-21)
The match started with two ties and a singular lead change within the first five points of the game, setting Belmont Abbey ahead 2-1. From that point forward, Carson-Newman controlled the set starting with a 6 point scoring run to give them a 7-2 lead. C-N did not give up their lead again, nor allow their opponents to tie the score. Molly Langford and Julia Wheeler each collected five kills in set one, Carlee Allbaugh dished 8 of the 12 total assists, and the squad collectively swung .370, the highest hitting percentage in a set so far this season.
The Eagles dominated in set two, preventing the Crusaders from amassing more than 12 points total. C-N did not allow their lead to make them comfortable and hopped on a five-point scoring run to secure the set. Julia Wheeler and Taylor Adams ran the offense, each grabbing three kills against the crusaders while Madilyn Pardue and Bennett McCombs both provided three assists.
Belmont Abbey fought hard in set three, offering C-N the tightest of all three sets played. After 10 tied scores and four lead changes, the Eagles took the final set 25-21, completing a sweep over the Crusaders. For the third set in a row, Julia Wheeler led offensively with seven kills.
C-N vs USC Aiken (21-25, 19-25, 21-25)
To complete the weekend, Carson-Newman took on the hosts of the tournament, USC Aiken. Down in the first set 6-12, the Eagles managed to close the gap to only a two-point deficit at 15-17. C-N couldn't find any momentum after closing the gap and dropped set one 21-25.
Set two started out strong for the Eagles, rapidly jumping ahead to a 7-2 lead on the Pacers. Aiken caught up to only one point behind but didn't tie up until 11-11. They went back and forth, exchanging leads and tying the score before the Pacer's made some headway and left Carson-Newman behind 25-19.
After a viciously tight fight, set three went to the hosts of the tournament and ended the match. Carson-Newman and USC Aiken tied up 10 times in the final set, traded leads three times, and had nearly identical statistics. The Eagles swung .174 while the Pacers had .179. Both teams rang in 13 assists and six block assists, though USC Aiken led in digs and service aces.
Bennett McCombs collected 16 digs in their final match, the most recorded in a game by C-N in 2023 so far. Emmagrace Cobb tied for the most productive hitting percentage of the game with .312.
Carson-Newman volleyball will see Emory & Henry on Tuesday for their home opener.
