November 7, 2015

Eagles seal fifth 25-win season with victory at Anderson

ANDERSON, S.C. – For the fifth time in program history, the Carson-Newman Eagles (25-5, 18-3 South Atlantic Conference) sealed a 25-win year with a four-set victory against the Anderson (S.C.) Trojans (10-16, 8-12 SAC) 18-25, 25-21, 25-19 and 25-22 Saturday afternoon at the Abney Center.

Carson-Newman

24-5, 17-3 SAC

Anderson (S.C.)

10-16, 8-12 SAC

Final	1	2	3	4	T
Carson-Newman 24-5, 17-3 SAC	18	25	25	25	3
Anderson (S.C.) 10-16, 8-12 SAC	25	21	19	22	1

Final Box Score

ANDERSON, S.C. – For the fifth time in program history, the Carson-Newman Eagles (25-5, 18-3 South Atlantic Conference) sealed a 25-win year with a four-set victory against the Anderson (S.C.) Trojans (10-16, 8-12 SAC) 18-25, 25-21, 25-19 and 25-22 Saturday afternoon at the Abney Center.

It is the second consecutive year that Carson-Newman has had a 25-win season. The other three years of 25 or more wins came in straight seasons from 2002-04. Five more victories for the Eagles this year would give Carson-Newman the most wins in a two-year period. The 2002-03 teams had 56 total wins.

"Another win in the books is great to have," Carson-Newman coach Dan Ahiers said. "Our entire team" knows we need to get a lot better in all phases of our play if we want to win a conference championship."

Anderson jumped out to a 5-0 advantage to start the first frame on three kills and two attack errors by the Eagles. Carson-Newman came back to within three points on two occasions and trailed 15-13 when the Trojans went on an 8-2 stretch to go ahead 23-15. A kill by Marissa Mitter closed out the first set as Anderson hit .321 in the game.

The Eagles began the second stanza winning six of the first seven points. Trailing 9-3 the Trojans won five of the next six to pull within two points. Carson-Newman began to pull away when Anderson used a 3-0 sequence to make it 23-21 but back-to-back mistakes by the home team equaled the match at 1-1.

Carson-Newman won seven of the first 10 points to begin the third set before Anderson made it a two-point contest at 13-11. A 7-1 run by the Eagles made it 19-12 to give the group the edge they needed to go ahead 2-1.

Each of the first three sets featured zero ties nor lead changes but the fourth set saw the score tied 10 times and the lead change hands five times. The largest lead for either side was three points, both times by Carson-Newman at 19-16 and the final margin of 25-22.

Carson-Newman tallied 57 kills while hitting .226 with 80 digs, six blocks and six service aces compared to Anderson's 56 kills hitting .253, the highest by an opponent in a four-set contest this year, with 87 digs, five blocks and two service aces.

Junior middle blocker Maddie Borch (Walnut Creek, Calif.) had a career-high for the third time this season with 16 kills on a .333 attack percentage. Borch was one of four Eagles to notch double-digit kills. Senior outside hitter Molly Locke (College Grove, Tenn.) notched a double-double for the fourth time in five matches with 14 kills and 19 digs. Senior outside hitter Sara Fairley (Charlotte, N.C.) had 13 kills and 10 digs. Freshman middle blocker Natalie Harris (Monroe, N.C.) added 10 kills.

Sophomore setter Anna Patton (Franklin, Tenn.) had 46 assists and eight digs while freshman libero Maddie Zyburt (Plainfield, Ill.) had 14 digs.

Mitter led all players with 17 kills and Serena Jackson chipped in 16 smashes. Priscilla Irizarry had 46 assists and 12 digs and libero Emily Conrad tacked on 25 digs.

Carson-Newman closes out its 2015 regular season on November 15 for senior day at Holt Fieldhouse. The opening serve is scheduled for 2 p.m. with broadcast coverage on cneagles.com/live on the Eagle Sports Network.

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