JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - The Eagles (9-11, 6-4 SAC) return to Mossy Creek after a week on the road to face the Newberry Wolves (5-13, 4-6 SAC) on Tuesday night.
Coach Ashley Tiernan's squad has lost only one match at home this season, to #24 Wingate on Oct. 6. The Eagles have won 14 of 21 sets played in Holt Fieldhouse this year. They have outperformed their opponents offensively in three of five home matches this season and defensively in four out of the five.
Tuesday night marks the 53rd meeting with the Newberry Wolves, dating back to 1997. Carson-Newman leads their historical record 42-10 and have won 10 of the last 10 matchups. From 1997-2007, the Eagles won 18 matches straight against the Wolves marking the longest streak between the two.
The Eagles and the Wolves met twice last year, once in regular season and once in postseason play. In their meeting last September, C-N won in three sets, outscoring Newberry in kills (43-39), kill percentage (.240- .162), and assists (41-38). At the SAC championship quarterfinals, the Eagles earned a second sweep over the Wolves, outscoring them in kills (45-26), hitting percentage (.248- .016), digs (63-50), and blocks (11.5- 7.0).
The Wolves are 4-6 in league play this season, having beat Coker (3-0), Limestone (3-2), UVA Wise (3-0), and Lincoln Memorial (3-2). They rank fourth in the conference and 41st in the conference in digs per set (16.84). The Wolves stand 11th, nearly last conference wide, in hitting percentage (.135), kills per set (10.40), and assists per set (9.54). The Eagles are eighth in hitting percentage (.165), ninth in kills per set (11.52), and eighth in assists per set (10.81).
2022 SAC freshman of they year Samantha Shaffer, has been the Wolves leading hitter this season, averaging 2.94 kills per set. She is followed by outside hitter Taylor Hall averaging 2.27 per set.
Julia Wheeler currently leads the SAC in total attacks (889) and attacks per set (12.18). She is second in kills per set (3.55) and third for total kills (259). Mckenna Hall has joined the ranking charts and stands sixth in aces per set (.46), and eighth in total service aces (24).
First serve on Tuesday is is set for 6:00 P.M. 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.
