Carson-Newman falls at LMU, 3-1

HARROGATE, Tenn. -- Senior Carly Mozgai (Greensboro, N.C.) amassed 13 kills, but it wasn't enough to keep the Carson-Newman Lady Eagles from dropping a South Atlantic Conference match to Lincoln Memorial on Tuesday night, 3-1, in Harrogate, Tenn.

With the win, the Lady Railsplitters move to 7-3 in South Atlantic Conference play and 14-3 overall. With the loss, the Lady Eagles drop to 5-5 in South Atlantic Conference play and 11-5 overall.

The Lady Railsplitters jumped out to an 8-1 lead to grab early control of the first set. Six different LMU players recorded kills in the set, culminating in a 25-12 set score.

In the second set, Carson-Newman came out with renewed vigor and fight. The Eagles utilized senior Carly Mozgai to her fullest potential and balanced out the deficiencies from the first set. Lincoln Memorial found themselves in a 20-14 hole which they were unable to escape, giving Carson-Newman the 25-18 victory to even the match. 

LMU would take the third set, 25-11 to take a 2-1 lead in the match behind a 15-9 edge in kills in the set. 

C-N would tie the fourth set at 6-6, but LMU would pull away behind a balanced attack to shut out the match. 

LMU was led by senior Lauren Kiwacka, who recorded her second triple-double of the season. She finished with 10 kills, 23 assists, and 13 digs. Senior Ashley Knight, along with Walton and Blaire Fowler, recorded 9 kills in the match. Sophomore Brittany Pugh played a crucial role with her 18 assists. Sophomore Kristen Cantrell led the team with 14 digs. Walton's seven aces tied a school record for aces in a four-set match.

Carson-Newman was led by Carly Mozgai's 13 kills. Courtney Lawson recored 11 assists in the match. Angelle Hayes led all players with 18 digs.

This weekend will prove critical to the final standings of the South Atlantic Conference as first-place Wingate travels to Harrogate, where the Lady Railsplitters remain undefeated this season . That match is set for a 6:30 p.m. tip-off in the Mary E. Mars Gym.

Carson-Newman will host Catawba on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. and Wingate University on Saturday at 2 p.m. in a pair of key South Atlantic Conference matches.