November 14, 2024

Eagles Ready for Regular Season Finale Against Anderson

Carson-Newman prepares for its regular season finale inside Holt Fieldhouse on Friday night with a lot on the line.

Anderson (S.C.)

18-9, 13-5 SAC

Carson-Newman

16-10,12-6 SAC

Final	1	2	3	4	5	T
Anderson (S.C.) 18-9, 13-5 SAC	23	25	25	21	16	3
Carson-Newman 16-10,12-6 SAC	25	22	12	25	14	2

MATCH NOTES

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman prepares for its regular season finale inside Holt Fieldhouse on Friday night with a lot on the line.

Carson-Newman (16-9, 12-5 SAC) enters needing a win or a Mars Hill loss to secure a top-four seed at the upcoming SAC Volleyball Tournament to host a quarterfinal match on Nov. 19. However, Anderson (17-9, 12-5 SAC) is in the same situation with an identical conference record to Carson-Newman, with this match breaking that tie.

The Trojans started the season slow, taking part in two high-profile tournaments where they went 3-4. However, they dropped three of their first five conference matches before rattling off nine straight wins. After that, Anderson dropped two matches to Mars Hill and Wingate, but they have picked up the pace with an active three-match winning streak against Lenoir-Rhyne, LMU, and Erskine.

The Trojans are led individually by Ava Reeves, who averages 3.24 kills per set. The top Anderson setter is Ellie Nieporte, the defending SAC Offensive Player of the Week. She has surpassed 1,000 assists in the season and averages 10.24 per set.

Defensively, Katy Smith is the top libero with 354 digs for 3.5 per set. The top Trojan middles are Brantley Chipley and Emily Campbell, each with over 75 blocks on the season.

Anderson holds an 18-15 series lead over the Eagles, winning three of the last four in Mossy Creek.

Friday's match against Anderson marks both teams' regular-season finales. Carson-Newman has struggled recently on a season-long three-match losing streak but returns to Holt Fieldhouse, where it has a 7-1 record.

Below are Carson-Newman's SAC Tournament scenarios based on the current SAC standings.

Carson-Newman Wins

-if Mars Hill goes 2-0 or 1-1: three-seed hosting Lincoln Memorial

-if Mars Hill goes 0-2: three-seed hosting Tusculum

Carson-Newman Loses

-if Mars Hill goes 2-0: five-seed at Mars Hill

-if Mars Hill goes 1-1: four-seed hosting Mars Hill

-if Mars Hill goes 0-2: four-seed hosting Lincoln Memorial

First serve is set for 6:00 p.m. inside Holt Fieldhouse. Carson-Newman students and faculty can get in for free, as well as any under 18. Anyone else can get in the door for $5. Those not attending can watch the match via a subscription for FloSports or follow along online for free by following @CN_Eagles on X for live coverage. To keep up with Carson-Newman Volleyball, follow us on social media @CN_Eagles on X and Instagram or Facebook at Carson-Newman Athletics.