JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman volleyball (14-17, 11-7 SAC) concluded their 2023 season and postseason stint after a three set shutout by the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears (21-9, 14-4 SAC) on Monday night at the Shuford Arena. 

The Eagles wrapped up the season with a 14-17 overall record, having gone 8-1 at Holt Fieldhouse, 3-11 on the road, and 3-5 at neutral site locations. 

"It has been an incredible season of learning and growing for our entire program." said head coach Ashley Tiernan "It is heartbreaking to end tonight but we played a tough team that has great rhythm together. I'm proud of the individuals that our program has produced and thank you to C-N nation for all the support this season."

Lenoir-Rhyne outscored Carson-Newman 55.0- 45.0 and led in kills (41-36), hitting percentage (.218- .125), assists (37-31), digs (51-46), and team blocks (8.0- 4.0). 

Julia Wheeler led the match offensively for her final performance as a Carson-Newman Eagle. She picked up 14 kills with a .116 hitting percentage. She notched a double-double with 10 digs as well. 

Blair Cherry garnered 25 assists for the Eagles, to lead the match, and had a double-double with 10 digs.  

Skylor Weaver, Taylor Adams, and Emmagrace Cobb collected five kills a piece to add to Carson-Newman's 36 total. 

Mckenna Hall, Julia Wheeler, and Blair Cherry all led C-N defensively with 10 digs each. Bennett McCombs followed with eight. Lenoir-Rhyne's Sydney Karjala led the match with 14. 

Set 1 (22-25) 

Carson-Newman took their first lead of the set at 12-11 but could not hold off the Bears battling back to retake after the final tie at 18-18. The Eagles came within a point at 23-22, but back to back kills from Emmaleigh Allen and Aasia McNeill finished the set out for the Bears. 

Set 2 (20-25)

The Bears jutted out with a four point scoring run to begin the frame.  With a ten point lead at 22-12, Carson-Newman ran a 7-1 scoring run at closed in to 23-19, but could not stop the set from going to Lenoir-Rhyne yet again. 

Set 3 (19-25)

Lenoir-Rhyne began the final set with a dominating lead early that they carried to the end line, securing the quarterfinal victory that will send them to Rock Hill, SC on Wednesday night.