July 24, 2012
Eagle volleyball unleashes 2012 schedule
Carson-Newman volleyball will see seven NCAA tournament qualifiers come through Holt Fieldhouse in 2012.
Jefferson City, Tenn. – Carson-Newman volleyball will see seven NCAA tournament qualifiers come through Holt Fieldhouse in 2012.
Non-conference opponents Lees McCrae and Armstrong as well as conference opponents Tusculum, Newberry, Wingate, Catawba and Lincoln Memorial all competed for the Division II crown.
"I shared with my returning players that our 2012 preseason schedule will be the toughest we have faced since I have coached at Carson-Newman," Head Volleyball Coach Shannon Mincey said. "The exciting thing is we will be competing at home. The most challenging for us will be quickly trying to mesh 7 newcomers with our returners so that we do well in our home tournaments."
Six home non-conference games coupled with the South Atlantic Conference schedule mean Eagles fans will have 17 chances to watch Shannon Mincey's squad play an imposing schedule.
Carson-Newman will play host to a tournament to start the season September 7 featuring Francis Marion and NCAA tournament participant Armstrong.
"This will be our only chance to have head to head competition with Peach Belt schools so our players should know the importance of the match," Mincey said. "It's exposure to teams we may face again if we are fortunate to make it to the NCAA tournament. Of course a win would only aid in our opportunity of being ranked in the top 8 regionally."
SAC play begins September 18 with a road trip to Tusculum to tangle with the Pioneers – one of five league opponents to make it to the big dance last season.
Non-conference play wraps up October 6 with a tournament at King College featuring King and Erskine in Bristol, Tenn.
"We have a good mix of both Peachbelt and Conference Carolina opponents," Mincey said. "I am excited that King is hosting us this year. Being so close in location, they have potential to be a strong rival for us. It will be good for us to play a very talented Palm Beach Atlantic team at home as well."
Wingate was the top team in the SAC last year, running through the regular season 30-0 before falling in the Sweet 16 to Flagler 3-2.
"Losing in the 5th set to Wingate in the SAC tournament was disheartening," Mincey said. "Our team doesn't seem to be shaken by Wingate's accolades. Wingate has done remarkable things in our conference however our team seems to go into the match just as they do for all the SAC matches. There seems to be so much parity within our conference that no opponent can be overlooked. Consistency in mindset is going to be something we focus on this year with each opponent."
Mincey's Eagles finished last season 17-14 with a near upset of then 14-ranked Wingate 3-2 (12-25, 16-25, 25-21, 26-24 and 10-15) in the opening round of the SAC tournament.
Mincey carries a 166-103 record into her 9th season at the helm of Eagles volleyball program.
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