VIDEO: Ashley Tiernan Interview
VIDEO: Highlights
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman volleyball (11-14, 8-5 SAC) celebrated Coach Ashley Tiernan's 100th career win after a competitive and commanding performance over UVA Wise (9-10, 2-9 SAC) on Tuesday night.
Ashley Tiernan joined the Eagles staff in the fall of 2019 after two years as the head volleyball coach at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas. Tiernan took over the head coaching role on an interim basis on Oct. 11, 2019 before getting the permanent title on Dec. 3, 2019.
"I'm so excited. I'm just beyond blessed. God brought me to Carson-Newman for a reason" said Tiernan. "I'm extremely humbled and just really excited about that".
The Eagles garnered their fourth straight sweep and ninth straight victory over the Cavaliers. Since their first meeting in Holt Fieldhouse on Sept. 9, 2019, Carson-Newman has never relinquished a set to UVA Wise at home.
Blair Cherry collected an astounding 42 assists in the three sets played. Her numbers place her second in school history for recorded assists in a three set match.
VIDEO: Blair Cherry Interview
"In the third set, Coach really emphasized getting the ball out there fast because we were faster than their defense was. So I just put the ball in the hands of girls that put it down everytime that I gave them the ball" said Cherry.
Julia Wheeler held a match high 13 kills with a .219 hitting percentage. Emmagrace Cobb landed right behind her with 12 kills and a .500 efficiency. Taylor Keeran also recorded .500 with seven kills in 12 attempts and only one error.
Bennett McCombs wore the libero jersey for the match and led the Eagles with 17 saves on the night. Julia Wheeler came next with 14, collecting her eighth double-double this season.
Emmagrace Cobb gathered five block assists for Carson-Newman. Skylor Weaver also exhibited proficiency at the net with four block assists.
C-N led the Cavaliers in kills (49-30), hitting percentage (.248- .130) service aces (3-1), digs (62-45), and side-out percentage (72%-57%)
UVA Wise led the Eagles in blocks (8.0- 6.5) proving why they lead the conference in blocks per set (2.34). They had 16 block assists on the night.
Set 1 (25-23)
In the tightest set of the match, both teams collected 13 kills and tied a total of seven times with two lead swaps. After back and forth efforts up to the final points of the set, a kill from Emmagrace Cobb sealed the set for the Eagles. Cobb and Julia Wheeler both collected four kills in the first frame. Taylor Keeran notched a perfect three kills in three attempts as well.
VIDEO: Julia Wheeler Interview
"I think we had a really good game plan" said Player of the Game, Julia Wheeler. "Tonight we really capitalized on if we have the opportunity to swing, we're gonna swing."
Set 2 (25-20)
Carson-Newman collected 17 kills in frame two, led by Taylor Adams with five. Despite seven ties and five lead changes, the Eagles pushed ahead with a four point scoring run to close out set two and set them up to earn a sweep over the Cavaliers.
Set 3 (25-16)
After the final tie at 10-10, C-N jutted out to take the final set of the match and collect their fourth straight sweep over UVA Wise. The Eagles dominated with a .308 hitting percentage and 19 kills in the third frame. They only allowed seven kills for the Cavaliers. An efficient Emmagrace Cobb had four kills in four attempts for a perfect 1.000 hitting percentage. Bennett McCombs led both teams with eight digs.
Carson-Newman volleyball heads back out on the road to face Emory & Henry on Friday at 6 p.m.
