JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman (6-7, 4-1) will begin their game packed week on Tuesday against the Catawba Indians (3-6, 1-4) in Salisbury, N.C.
The orange and blue have rallied victories from four out of five SAC matchups so far this season. After concluding preseason 3-6, Carson-Newman has dominated in three of the last four matches to close in on their deficit and currently stand at 6-7 overall.
Julia Wheeler remains the leader in SAC for attacks per set (11.53) and total attacks (519). Her values are good for 15th and 10th nationally. She is placed fourth conference wide and 44th in the nation in total kills with 151. Emmagrace Cobb is ranked sixth in the conference and 155th nationally for total blocks with 33. Skylor Weaver resides seventh in the SAC and 149th in the nation for her hitting efficiency of .301.
As a unit, the Eagles are placed fourth conference wide in four categories: total blocks (79.0), attacks (1,567), service aces (75), and assists (483).
Tuesday marks the 74th meeting between the two, dating back to the first match in 1989. Carson-Newman slightly trails 35-38 though the majority of Catawba victories occurred in the early 2000's and before.
Carson-Newman completed a sweep over the Indians in their singular meeting last season. Carson-Newman has only committed one loss to Catawba in their last ten matchups, dating back to 2017. The one loss occurred in Fall of 2021, a five set victory for the Indians at the Goodman Arena.
The Indians are off to a slower start this year, compiling a 1-4 conference play record. They have given matches to Limestone, Wingate, Anderson, and Lenoir-Rhyne. Their solo conference win was over Newberry earlier this month. In the five set win over the Wolves, Catawba recorded 20 blocks, 11 service aces, and 51 kills.
Catawba has had two players with double digit kills in the past two conference games. Maillie Chretien, Jordan Danielson, and Katrina Misra have led the Indians offensively all season, each averaging over 2.40 kills per set. Setter Siena Roethler has offered nearly half of all assists for the Indians this season, averaging 5.31 assists per set. In the defense, Riley Hill leads with 121 digs on the season.
Middle blocker Natalie Rehm is ranked second in the conference in blocks per set (1.12), behind conference leader Cassidy Farley from UVA Wise (1.40). Riley Hill is eighth in the SAC for digs per set with 3.62.
Catawba earns an average of 11.00 kills per set and allows their opponents to score a mean of 11.48 per frame. Carson-Newman averages 11.50 earned and 11.90 given up per set.
Catawba's highest conference rankings is in aces per set (1.83). Their average is good for a fifth place ranking in the South Atlantic Conference. Carson-Newman sits right behind them in sixth.
First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the Goodman Arena. To follow along fans can watch on Flo Sports with a subscription or head to @CN_Eagles on Twitter and Instagram for in-game updates.
