First SAC road trip of the year sends Eagles to North Carolina
September 16, 2015

First SAC road trip of the year sends Eagles to North Carolina

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – To begin South Atlantic Conference road action, the Carson-Newman Eagles (5-1, 2-0 SAC) travel to Catawba Friday night for a 7 p.m. first serve and Queens (N.C.) Saturday for a 2 p.m. start.

VIDEO: Kristen Pickett Interview

Carson-Newman Volleyball Match Notes

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – To begin South Atlantic Conference road action, the Carson-Newman Eagles (5-1, 2-0 SAC) travel to Catawba Friday night for a 7 p.m. first serve and Queens (N.C.) Saturday for a 2 p.m. start.

The Eagles won all 11 SAC road games in 2014 setting a new mark for consecutive road victories in league contests. The previous mark was eight set at the end of 2002 and the beginning of 2003.

"I think we obviously set the standard high," Carson-Newman student-assistant coach Kristen Pickett said. "There are some feelings and emotions that come into play when you play at home. Away games and being able to compete is all we have to think about."

With a pair of sweeps this weekend, Carson-Newman would set the school record for consecutive sweeps in SAC matches with four-in-a-row. On two occasions a Carson-Newman team has recorded three straight, 2014 and 2003. The overall record for sweeps in consecutive matches came in nonconference action in 2007 when the Eagles won six straight.

Catawba holds a 32-24 in the all-time series but Carson-Newman has won four straight meetings dating back to 2012. The Eagles swept both matches in 2014 with the Indians hitting -.012 and .085.

The Indians combined for 20 total blocks in each of the two matches a year ago, but the Eagles were able to hit .282 and .250 respectfully in the contests.

Catawba is in the midst of a six-match homestand and coming off of a four-set victory over Winston-Salem State Tuesday night.

The Indians have been led by setter Kaytee Frabotta who is averaging 8.29 assists per set. The senior is one of three players in Division II to record a triple-double this year racking up 38 assists, 17 digs and 10 kills in a four-set win at Newberry.

Second-team All-SAC outside hitter Alex Hopper has just one double-digit kill match over her last seven contests and is averaging just 2.17 kills per set. Hopper struggled mightily against the Eagles a year ago recording just one on 20 attacks while committing seven attack errors in two matches.

The Eagles take on the Royals for the seventh time with C-N holding a 4-2 edge. In 2014, The Eagles earned a four-set victory and a sweep. The Royals could only muster a .016 and .019 attack percentage in the matches.

Queens has lost four straight outings and has not recorded a winning record in league play since a 14-8, third-place finish in 2013.

The Royals rank 12th nationally and lead the conference with 2.63 blocks per set. Freshman Taylor Henry is 11th in nation with 40 total blocks and ninth with a 1.43 blocks per set clip.

Preseason second-team All-SAC pick Elizabeth Bialkowski is fifth on her squad this year with 32 total kills while hitting .172.

Meridith Jones is the leader for the Royals this season with 77 kills ranking seventh in the league in that category. Jones had 16 total kills against the Eagles in 2014.

"They are very well-coached," Pickett said of both opponents. "They have certain players that we are going to hone in on and be able to stop them. If we just play our game we should be fine."

Fans are encouraged to follow @CNathletics and @CarsonNewmanVB on Twitter for live updates throughout the weekend including postgame recaps following each match.

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