MARS HILL, N.C. – Carson-Newman started its road trip off right, breaking out the brooms for the third straight match in a win over Mars Hill.

Carson-Newman (11-3, 7-0 SAC) has now won six matches in a row and its third straight match in three sets. Mars Hill (4-7, 2-3 SAC) was playing its first match since September after damage caused by Hurricane Helene caused the Lions to postpone and cancel several athletic events.

The Eagles were led by freshman Emerson Ahsmuhs (Placentia, Calif.), the only player on either side to surpass ten kills on the night. Ahsmuhs tallied 11. Sophomore setter Blair Cherry (Knoxville, Tenn.) collected her eighth double-double with 33 assists and 11 digs.

Defensively, it was Maddie Hurst (Blaine, Tenn.) leading in blocks with two solo blocks and two block assists, marking the first time Hurst collected multiple solo blocks in a single match in her collegiate career.

Trinity Hafey (Grand Junction, Colo.) and Bennett McCombs (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) split libero duties, each tying for the team lead in digs with 14 apiece.

"We had a game plan, stuck to it, and it paid off in the end." Carson-Newman volleyball head coach Cat Collins said. "We are always learning and trying to find out more about who we are as a team and our chemistry. Every game allows us to grow and get better."

Senior Taylor Adams (Covington, Ga.) took home Food City Player of the Match honors, collecting seven kills, her most since the Sept. 14 match against Montevallo. Adams obtained seven kills on just 11 attacks, earning a hitting percentage of .636, a new career-high.

First Set (25-22, C-N) – Carson-Newman came out swinging, winning the match's first five points and pushing the lead to as large as six. Mars Hill would stage a comeback in the late stages of the set, coming as close as two points away from the Eagles' lead, but a Blake Cherry kill swiftly ended the Lions' comeback hopes in the opening frame.

Second Set (25-18, C-N) – A back-and-forth second set saw two lead changes and four tied scores before Carson-Newman slipped away from the Lions, including using a late 5-0 run to put the set away. Blake Cherry earned four kills in the set, while Blair Cherry contributed two of the three Eagle aces in the frame.

Third Set (27-25, C-N) – The Lions would not go down quietly, taking an early lead and holding it throughout most of the third set by way of an 8-0 early scoring run. But the Eagles slowly chipped away and took a 24-22 set point for Mars Hill into a 24-all tie, pushing the set over 25 points. Carson-Newman later went on a 3-0 run using kills from Hurst and Adams to put the set and match away to give C-N the victory.

Carson-Newman will have one day of rest on Tuesday before jumping back into action on Wednesday night against Lincoln Memorial in Harrogate, Tenn. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m. To keep up with Carson-Newman volleyball, follow us on social media @CN_Eagles on X and Instagram or Facebook at Carson-Newman Athletics.