C-N Beach Volleyball Soars On Opening Day
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn – Carson-Newman opens up the 2025 beach volleyball season with a sweep of the Florida State College of Jacksonville Manta Rays (FSCJ) of 5-0 and 4-1 victory over Lynchburg.
VIDEO: Emerson Ahsmuhs Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn – Carson-Newman opens up the 2025 beach volleyball season with a sweep of the Florida State College of Jacksonville Manta Rays (FSCJ) of 5-0 and 4-1 victory over Lynchburg.
"It's fun to be out here and finally put our skills to the test," said head coach Cat Collins. "I think we came out a little nervous, but we finished really strong and I'm pleased with our team."
This was the first meeting between FSCJ and Carson-Newman in beach volleyball.
Coming out of a month-long preseason, the team was ready to open up the season against new competition.
"Trusting our skills and training and playing free was the message I wanted the team to hear," said Collins. "We've put so much work into our training and we have to go in and implement what you know. You don't have to think a whole lot and be worried. You just have to do what we've done for five weeks."
Match 1: C-N 5, FSCJ 0
C-N took to the court for the first time this season against FSCJ at 11:00 a.m. at the beach volleyball courts on Carson-Newman's campus. Pairs Morgan Foy/Camryn Ehlers, Kat Nelson/Callie Wilson, Ava Fountain/Kylee Oldenburger, Trinity Hafey/Emerson Ahsmuhs and Jenny Ille/Paige Halcrow all claimed victories in the first matchup of the day.
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Jenny Ille/Paige Halcrow (C-N) def. Hana Roberts/Carly Rivera (FSCJ) 21-14, 21-9
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Trinity Hafey/Emerson Ahsmuhs (C-N) def. Abigail Bucci/Malayna Loadholtz (FSCJ) 21-13, 21-12
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Ava Fountain/Kylee Oldenburger (C-N) def. Kennedy Walker/Julissa Rivera (FSCJ) 21-9, 21-12
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Morgan Foy/Camryn Ehlers (C-N) def. Quinn Kraljic/ Hailey Tharp (FSCJ) 21-14, 21-7
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Kat Nelson/Callie Wilson (C-N) def. Lexi Pacheco/Ella Jonasova (FSCJ) 21-13, 21-4
The Eagles next opponents came by the way of the Lynchburg Hornets who C-N won in a final score of 4-1. Lynchburg is the only familiar opponent to this Eagles squad in attendance this weekend.
Match 2: C-N 4, Lynchburg 1
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Jenny Ille/Paige Halcrow (C-N) def. Amanda Trapp/ SJ Vanez (Lynch) 22-20, 21-14
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Trinity Hafey/Emerson Ahsmuhs (C-N) def. Kailey Keough/Mady Shirey (Lynch) 21-14, 21-14
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Jordan Palmer/Sydney Phillips (Lynch) def. Ava Fountain/Kylee Oldenburger (C-N) 21-11, 24-21,15-10
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Morgan Foy/Camryn Ehlers (C-N) def. Laney Burns/Parker Lynch (Lynch) 21-18,21-19
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Kat Nelson/Callie Wilson (C-N) def. Virginia Zalinski/Mackinzie Ingrassia (Lynch) 21-11, 21-13
Jenny Ille and Paige Halcrow who were named the SAC Preseason Pair to Watch for this season stood out in both of their performances today. The pair had to battle back in the match against Lynchburg which they won 22-20.
Junior player Ava Fountain had a big day with her partner, Kylee Oldenburger, going 1 of 2 on the day. The victory came against FSCJ in a two set win of 21-9, 21-12.
"It was a really great game and Kylee and I have been working all week, training together and learning defenses and that showed today," said Fountain.
Another standout performance was freshman Emerson Ahsmuhs competing in her first collegiate beach volleyball match.
"We worked really hard today like we have been in practice," said Ahsmuhs. "Getting every point and shot as well as our communication which has gotten better. It was really great to see everyone out here and supporting each other."
Despite the 9-1 record on the first day of competition here in Mossy Creek, Cat Collins would like to see improvements on the defensive side.
"Our biggest thing to focus on now is defense," Collins said. "Especially when we are in transition we're a little slow making some decisions on defense. Getting more relaxed with our partner and knowing each other's habits a bit more so we can make better decisions."
The Eagles get back to the courts on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 11:00 a.m. taking on the FSCJ. Later in the afternoon, C-N battles Southern Virginia in a 3:00 p.m. matchup to wrap up opening weekend.
To keep up to date with Carson-Newman Beach Volleyball, you can follow us on social media @CN_Eagles on X and Instagram or Facebook by following Carson-Newman Athletics. You can also log on online at cneagles.com.
