November 7, 2013

Looking to keep postseason hopes alive, volleyball travels to Catawba and Queens

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – With just five games remaining in the 2013 season, the Carson-Newman Eagles (10-14, 5-12 South Atlantic Conference) are four games out of eighth place, which would make them the final team in the conference tournament.

Carson-Newman

11-14, 6-12

Catawba

4-16, 4-14

Final	1	2	3	4	T
Carson-Newman 11-14, 6-12	18	25	25	25	3
Catawba 4-16, 4-14	25	16	16	20	1

Carson-Newman

11-15

Queens (N.C.)

13-10

Final	1	2	3	T
Carson-Newman 11-15	20	28	18	0
Queens (N.C.) 13-10	25	30	25	3

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – With just five games remaining in the 2013 season, the Carson-Newman Eagles (10-14, 5-12 South Atlantic Conference) are four games out of eighth place, which would make them the final team in the conference tournament.

"I think that our team needs to focus on continuing to build team chemistry," junior outside hitter Lauren Santarelli (Colorado Springs, Colo.) said. "We need to follow the game plan for what [head coach Shannon] Mincey has lined up for these next couple matches."

The Eagles take to the road for the final time this year as they travel to Catawba Friday night for a 7 p.m. first serve and to Queens (N.C.) Saturday afternoon for a 4 p.m. start time.

Coming off of a four set victory over the Coker Cobras last Saturday where junior outside hitter Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.) notched her fourth straight double-double and fourteenth overall, the Eagles will need consistent play across the board to earn a spot in the SAC Tournament.

The Catawba Indians (4-15, 4-13 SAC) fell in four sets the first time these two squads tangled. The Eagles hit .303, their third best tally of the campaign with 11 blocks to hold Catawba to a .167 hitting percentage. Junior setter Kristen Pickett (Cleveland, Tenn.) handed out 48 assists in the match.

Having lost six of their last seven, the Indians are still mathematically in the hunt for the eighth spot in the SAC tournament but would need to win each of their remaining games coupled with help.

Haley Lanier leads the squad with 2.33 kills per set despite a .126 hitting percentage while Erin Morant sits fourth in the conference averaging 0.85 blocks per frame. Kaytee Frabotta is fifth in the SAC averaging 8.51 assists per set.

The Queens Royals (11-10, 9-8 SAC) have won four of their last five matches to take control of the final spot in the upcoming SAC tournament with eyes set on a higher seed.

In the first weekend of October, the Eagles captured the first two sets, but fell in the final three as the Royals made an impressive comeback to take the match. Both teams were efficient in the contest with Carson-Newman hitting .289 compared to a .308 clip by Queens. Santarelli cranked 17 kills on .333 attack percentage.

Keri Kemp is second in the SAC with 3.99 kills per set with 307 total kills this season. Kemp has been in double figures in kills in 19 of the 21 matches this year. Her teammate Taylor Riley leads the league with an impressive 10.36 assists per set. Riley has had at least 30 assists in 18 straight contests including 40 or more on nine occasions.

Live stats and video are available for each match. To follow the Catawba match click here for stats and here for video. Stats for the Queens game can be found here with video here.