Cat Collins Interview

Maddie Hurst Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Eagles advance to 5-0 in SAC play behind a sweep of UVA-Wise at home.

Carson-Newman (9-3, 5-0 SAC) is perfect through five conference games for the first time since 2015 after taking down UVA-Wise (6-6, 1-3 SAC) in straight sets.

Blair Cherry (Knoxville, Tenn.) earned her seventh double-double of the season, collecting 31 assists and ten digs en route to surpassing Holly Barnham for ninth in Carson-Newman career assists. Cherry now sits at 1,186 career assists.

"This team fights like no other team." Carson-Newman volleyball head coach Cat Collins said. "Whatever they get themselves into, they'll come out on top."

Maddie Hurst (Blaine, Tenn.) earned Food City Player of the Game honors leading the team in blocks with eight assisted blocks, and hitting percentage hitting .278 through 18 attacks.

"My coaches do a great job every single day we're working on our footwork and pressing, and now it's becoming a habit for us," Hurst said.

Bennett McCombs (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) led the way defensively with 18 digs.

First Set (25-22, C-N) – Carson-Newman came out swinging after a late night against Tusculum less than 24 hours prior. The Eagles jumped out to a 19-11 advantage before the Highland Cavaliers stormed back on a 9-0 run to take the lead 20-19. After a couple of substitutions, Carson-Newman held on, finishing the set on a 5-0 run of its own to take the first frame.

Second Set (25-23, C-N) – The second set started back and forth, with UVA-Wise eventually taking an advantage, leading by as much as five late in the set. However, Carson-Newman used a 7-0 run to take the lead in the frame and never looked back.

Third Set (25-15, C-N) – It seemed the Eagles found their rhythm in the third set, dominating early and forcing the Highland Cavaliers to call timeout after a 6-0 C-N run gave the Eagles the lead after UVA-Wise took the first point in the frame. UVA-Wise would show signs of life but could never mount the comeback, falling in front of the packed house of Eagle fans in Mossy Creek.

Carson-Newman is now 16-0 all-time against UVA-Wise and is tied with Lenoir-Rhyne atop the SAC standings. The pair of schools are the only undefeated teams remaining in conference play.

The Eagles return to the court on Tuesday evening at Holt Fieldhouse to take on Catawba. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m. Stay updated with Carson-Newman volleyball by following us on social media @CN_Eagles on X and Instagram and our Facebook page: Carson-Newman Athletics.