Eagles Finish Perfect Conference Weekend, Improve to 11-0
Carson-Newman beach volleyball capped off a perfect conference weekend Saturday at the Hardin Park Beach Volleyball Complex, sweeping Emmanuel (Ga.) 5-0 before grinding out a 3-2 victory over Erskine to remain unbeaten on the season.
GREENVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman beach volleyball completed a perfect conference weekend Saturday at the Hardin Park Beach Volleyball Complex, sweeping Emmanuel (Ga.) 5-0 before edging Erskine 3-2 to remain unbeaten on the season.
Carson-Newman beach volleyball continued its dominant start to the 2026 season, earning two more victories Saturday to close out the first South Atlantic Conference/Conference Carolinas weekend at the Hardin Park Beach Volleyball Complex in Greenville, Tenn.
"We did so well this weekend," said head coach Cat Collins. "Our pairs played great and did a good job trusting our training today. We had great offense ans strategy across the board. Still have some work to do but pleased with our offensive system."
The Eagles opened the day with a convincing 5-0 sweep of Emmanuel (Ga.), winning four of the five flights in straight sets. The No. 1 pair of Trinity Hafey and Paige Halcrow led the way with a 21-12, 21-12 victory over Faith Kelly and Leah Van Wyngarden.
Emerson Ahsmuhs and Ava Potts added another point in the No. 2 flight with a 21-14, 21-11 win against Maisy Farrow and Kaleigh Morawietz. At No. 3, Addie Smith and Camryn Ehlers delivered one of the most dominant performances of the day, defeating Maya Hedden and Maryn Barrow 21-6, 21-8.
Lucy Bartee and Morgan Foy battled back after dropping the opening set at No. 4, rallying for a 20-22, 21-11, 15-8 victory over Aaliyah Lobendahn and Brooke Lee. Kelcey Peterson and Madison Trondle sealed the sweep with a 21-9, 21-18 win in the No. 5 flight against Madelyn Banton and Lauryn Kroening.
Carson-Newman 5, Emmanuel 0
1. Trinity Hafey/Paige Halcrow (C-N) def. Faith Kelly/Leah Van Wyngarden (EUWBVB) 21-12, 21-12
2. Emerson Ahsmuhs/Ava Potts (C-N) def. Maisy Farrow/Kaleigh Morawietz (EUWBVB) 21-14, 21-11
3. Addie Smith/Camryn Ehlers (C-N) def. Maya Hedden/Maryn Barrow (EUWBVB) 21-6, 21-8
4. Lucy Bartee/Morgan Foy (C-N) def. Aaliyah Lobendahn/Brooke Lee (EUWBVB) 20-22, 21-11, 15-8
5. Kelcey Peterson/Madison Trondle (C-N) def. Madelyn Banton/Lauryn Kroening (EUWBVB) 21-9, 21-18
"This weekend was good competition," said Collins. "Our conference is getting stronger. We were pushed this weekend and I'm proud of how our team responded. Moments were difficult but it helped us learn necessary lessons."
Carson-Newman faced its toughest test of the weekend in the final match against Erskine but secured the dual with a 3-2 victory.
Erskine claimed the first point at No. 1, where Abigail Platt and Reka Meilinger defeated Hafey and Halcrow 21-19, 21-17. The Eagles responded at No. 2 as Ahsmuhs and Potts defeated Anna Haselden and Ally Owens 21-17, 21-9 to even the match.
Smith and Ehlers gave Carson-Newman the lead with a dominant 21-7, 21-11 win at No. 3 over Kenzie Ma'apouli and Hannah Platt. Bartee and Foy then clinched the team victory at No. 4, holding off Elly Davis and Rinnah Roberts in a tight first set before finishing the match 24-22, 21-15.
Erskine picked up the final point at No. 5, where Abby Johnson and Lillian Pragle defeated Peterson and Trondle 22-20, 21-19.
Carson-Newman 3, Erskine 2
1. Abigail Platt/Reka Meilinger (ERSK) def. Trinity Hafey/Paige Halcrow (C-N) 21-19, 21-17
2. Emerson Ahsmuhs/Ava Potts (C-N) def. Anna Haselden/Ally Owens (ERSK) 21-17, 21-9
3. Addie Smith/Camryn Ehlers (C-N) def. Kenzie Ma'apouli/Hannah Platt (ERSK) 21-7, 21-11
4. Lucy Bartee/Morgan Foy (C-N) def. Elly Davis/Rinnah Roberts (ERSK) 24-22, 21-15
5. Abby Johnson/Lillian Pragle (ERSK) def. Kelcey Peterson/Madison Trondle (C-N) 22-20, 21-19
With the two wins on Saturday, Carson-Newman improves to 11-0 overall on the season and completes a perfect 4-0 weekend in conference play.
"This team is good and weekends like this allow us to grow to be great," Collins stated. "We work hard and empahsize culture and I'm just proud of our players for trusting each other and out staff. It's obviously pretty fun to win!"
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