Eagles escape from Wolves in five sets
October 11, 2014

Eagles escape from Wolves in five sets

NEWBERRY, S.C. – For just the second time this season, the Carson-Newman Eagles (14-4, 10-1 South Atlantic Conference) overcame a 1-0 deficit to defeat the Newberry Wolves (9-10, 3-8 SAC) in five sets Saturday afternoon at Eleazer Arena 20-25, 25-16, 25-18, 22-25 and 15-9. The only other time the Eagles accomplished that feat was against Humboldt State on September 6, the third game of the season.

NEWBERRY, S.C. – For just the second time this season, the Carson-Newman Eagles (14-4, 10-1 South Atlantic Conference) overcame a 1-0 deficit to defeat the Newberry Wolves (9-10, 3-8 SAC) in five sets Saturday afternoon at Eleazer Arena 20-25, 25-16, 25-18, 22-25 and 15-9. The only other time the Eagles accomplished that feat was against Humboldt State on September 6, the third game of the season.

"We very inconsistent today," head coach Dan Ahiers said. Luckily we have a deep, talented team. We were able to mix up some rotations and players. We received some much needed energy from our bench today."

For just the fifth time this season, Carson-Newman was unable to capture the opening set of a match. The Eagles led through most of the beginning of the frame, but Newberry tied the score at 16 and finished on a 9-4 run to take a 1-0 lead. Senior outside hitter Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.) led the way with three kills as Carson-Newman hit .000.

A back-and-forth beginning to the second set was immediately changed when the Eagles went on a 7-2 run to take a 19-10 advantage. Carson-Newman hit .321 in the game to knot the match at one.

Once again, the third stanza was competitive at the outset before the visiting unit pulled away. Another 7-2 spurt gave the Eagles control at 16-10 as Harper put away the set with her ninth kill. Six different Eagles tallied at least one kill in the set.

The fourth set featured 11 ties and four lead changes and the score was tied at 22 until Newberry took the final three rallies. Senior setter Kristen Pickett (Cleveland, Tenn.) handed out 12 assists.

The decisive fifth frame teeter-tottered until Carson-Newman won eight of the final ten rallies to capture the match.

With Carson-Newman leading 14-12 in the first set, Harper tallied her 100th career service ace. Harper led all players with 17 kills to go along with 16 digs for her sixth double-double of the season.

Pickett finished with 38 assists and nine digs as she aided the Eagles on a day where they hit .208 and five different players notched at least six kills.

Senior middle blocker Jenna Wilson (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) had nine kills and 4.5 blocks leading a front line that racked up 13 total blocks.

Jessica King led the Wolves with 13 kills on a .435 attack percentage and Rachel Moran handed out 40 assists.

The Eagles complete a four-game road swing Tuesday night against the Lions of Mars Hill with a 7 p.m. first serve.

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