Eagle volleyball drops five-setter to rival Tusculum
GREENVILLE, Tenn. – In a back and forth match, it was Tusculum that used one last shift in momentum to pull out a five-set win over Carson-Newman. Carson-Newman (2-4, 0-1 SAC) had Tusculum (8-2, 3-0 SAC) on the ropes in the fifth set 9-6, but the Pioneers pulled off a comeback, scoring the next five points secure a match victory (19-25, 25-16, 27-29, 25-21, 15-11).
GREENVILLE, Tenn. – In a back and forth match, it was Tusculum that used one last shift in momentum to pull out a five-set win over Carson-Newman.
Carson-Newman (2-4, 0-1 SAC) had Tusculum (8-2, 3-0 SAC) on the ropes in the fifth set 9-6, but the Pioneers pulled off a comeback, scoring the next five points secure a match victory (19-25, 25-16, 27-29, 25-21, 15-11).
"Too many unforced errors cost us this road match," C-N head volleyball coach Shannon Mincey said. "We looked tired and lost focus on the small details of the game. But, give the Pioneers credit, they played well and earned the win tonight."
Combined, the teams dug 174 balls in a match where neither team hit better than .140. Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.) led the offensive attack for Carson-Newman with 14 kills, but 11 attack errors dropped the sophomore's hit percentage to .056. Harper was the lone Eagle with double figure kills.
"There were times when our hitters did brilliant things and then other moments where they played tentative," Mincey said. "It seemed as if they were caught up in not losing."
The Eagle defense blocked eight balls and picked up 83 digs. Five different players had more than 10 digs, with Angelle Hayes (Brentwood, Tenn.) leading the way with 25.
"We let this one slip away," Mincey said. "All we can do now is pick ourselves back up and focus on Newberry."
C-N falls to 0-3 in five-set matches.
The Eagles travel to the Palmetto State to face the Wolves Friday at 7 p.m. Newberry is coming off a 3-1 road win at Augusta State.
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