Cruising C-N coasts to a sweep of clumsy Coker
October 18, 2019

Cruising C-N coasts to a sweep of clumsy Coker

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Stretching its winning streak to six matches, Carson-Newman’s attack was once again highly potent sweep Coker at Holt Fieldhouse Friday evening 25-7, 26-24 and 25-13 in its first South Atlantic Conference match in two weeks.

VIDEO: Match Highlights

VIDEO: Ashley Tiernan Interview

VIDEO: Erin Edwards Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Stretching its winning streak to six matches, Carson-Newman's attack was once again highly potent sweep Coker at Holt Fieldhouse Friday evening 25-7, 26-24 and 25-13 in its first South Atlantic Conference match in two weeks.

"We really didn't play our best game today," Carson-Newman coach Ashley Tiernan said. "I would say what was lacking tonight was the energy that we need to carry into tomorrow. Other than that, I am proud of the win and are going to celebrate the win, but we definitely need to pick up the energy."

Carson-Newman (13-5, 7-4) entered as the ninth-best team in opponent hitting percentage yielding its second-lowest margin of the season sweeping Coker (5-11, 2-10) for the eighth time in 14 meetings.

With its sixth straight win, the Eagles have their longest winning streak since ripping off seven straight from Oct. 10-24, 2015. The program is now 9-1 at home this season, its best start since opening the 2015 campaign 11-1 en route to a 12-2 mark at Holt.

Erin Edwards (Midlothian, Va.) led the way for the home side of the net with nine kills while hitting .381. The junior has now posted a hitting margin better than .300 in 12 matches and each of the last six.

"Honestly it was very challenging," Edwards said. "I was trying to find shots. Usually the shots that work against other teams weren't working for me as well tonight. That was the challenging part I love because I was able to grow and see what worked for me."

Megan Oldenburger (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) was not far behind with eight kills and six digs. Elena Vasquez (Riverside, Calif.) posted 14 assists, Morgan Ballard (Weaverville, N.C.) notched 11 digs and Katie Parnell (Atlanta) piled up three blocks.

As a team, the Eagles finished the night with 30 kills hitting .262 as a team with 40 digs, eight blocks and five service aces.

It took a few serves to get rolling but C-N snapped a 6-6 tie with five unanswered to go on top 11-6. A kill from Olivia Cerick proved to be the last time the Cobras captured a point in the first frame as the Eagles was the final 14 points. It was the largest stretch by the team this season passing the 13 in-a-row against Emmanuel on Sept. 7.

Tiernan's troops had to work a little bit harder in the second stanza with seven ties and three lead chance. An 8-0 scoring sequence flipped a 5-3 Coker lead into an 11-5 C-N cushion. The Cobras snapped back with an 8-3 burst to go on top 18-16. The Eagles would chip away before going ahead 24-22 only to see the visitors take two in-a-row. Two kills from Oldenburger sealed the set win.

Carson-Newman held a narrow 7-6 edge in the third when it exploded for four straight and 10 of the next 11 to get the differential to double figures. Kendall Cooley (Castle Rock, Colo.) provided the finishing touch with her sixth blast of the night.

Coker committed 26 attack errors to just 17 kills to finish with a minus-.094 hitting percentage adding 38 digs, five aces and four digs.

Emily Everton was the only player with multiple kills to hit positive numbers with seven kills and a .125 hitting margin adding seven digs.

Gabrielle Milo tallied 10 digs while setters Rami Mullen and Ashley Carson each had seven assists.

The Eagles are back in action Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. against 22nd-ranked Wingate from inside Holt Fieldhouse. Visit cneagles.com/live for the broadcast brought to you by the Eagle Sports Network.

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