Volleyball impresses in two wins on opening day of 2013
September 6, 2013

Volleyball impresses in two wins on opening day of 2013

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman volleyball won six of seven sets en route to a 2-0 first day of the regular season defeating Converse 25-18, 25-16, 22-25, 25-14 and UNC Pembroke 25-15, 25-12, 25-17 in the Carson-Newman Classic Friday afternoon.

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman volleyball won six of seven sets en route to a 2-0 first day of the regular season defeating Converse 25-18, 25-16, 22-25, 25-14 and UNC Pembroke 25-15, 25-12, 25-17 in the Carson-Newman Classic Friday afternoon.

In its first match of the season, Carson-Newman won the first two sets against Converse compiling a hitting percentage of over .300. The Eagles capped the first set on a 12-4 run thanks to a pair of service aces by Rachel Harper and two kills from Emily Schultz.

With the score tied at three in the second set, Taylor Lowe was on serve helping the Eagles to a 5-0 spurt to take control of the second frame. Harper led the way with five kills while Kianna Sedlacek tallied three kills in four attempts.

In a back-and-forth third set, Converse snapped a 16-16 tie reeling off three straight points that the host school was unable to overcome.

Carson-Newman started the third set on a 12-3 run, including five service aces between Harper, Lowe and Kristina Hill as the Eagles never looked back en route to their first victory of the season.

Harper notched a double-double with 17 kills and 12 digs. Schultz compiled 11 kills while setter Kristen Pickett dished out 34 assists.

The Eagles opened their match against UNC Pembroke with a decisive opening set victory. Carson-Newman went on an 11-4 run take a 24-13 lead before a kill by Harper closed out the initial stanza. Pickett handed out nine assists with four digs in the set.

Carson-Newman ran away with the second set winning 13 of the final 17 points against the Braves.

The third set was tied at ten until the Eagles scored 11 of the next 14 points en route to a sweep of UNCP.

Harper finished with another double-double notching 11 kills with a .440 hitting percentage and 11 digs. Pickett had 31 assists and nine digs helping the team to a .281 hitting percentage.

The Eagles will continue play in the Carson-Newman Classic Saturday afternoon with a noon match against No. 25 Palm Beach Atlantic.

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