Eagles soar past Lions for first SAC win
September 17, 2013

Eagles soar past Lions for first SAC win

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman Eagles (6-3, 1-1) earned their first South Atlantic Conference victory of the 2013 season with a sweep of the Mars Hill Lions (2-4, 0-2). Carson-Newman led most of the way winning the sets by a tally of 25-20, 25-17 and 25-21 to win its third straight match.

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman Eagles (6-3, 1-1) earned their first South Atlantic Conference victory of the 2013 season with a sweep of the Mars Hill Lions (2-4, 0-2). Carson-Newman led most of the way winning the sets by a tally of 25-20, 25-17 and 25-21 to win its third straight match.

"We came into tonight thinking this was a must win for our team," head coach Shannon Mincey said. "Both second and third sets were a little tight. I don't think we coasted out of this easily and I am very pleased that we closed the door."

In the first set, the home school surged out to a 13-3 advantage before the Lions closed the gap to 20-19 late in the first stanza. Mincey's group won the final five points to go up 1-0.

Junior outside hitter Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.) tallied eight kills for a .538 hitting percentage to go along with seven digs. Junior setter Kristen Pickett (Cleveland, Tenn.) added 13 assists with two digs and a pair of kills.

The Eagles and Lions matched each other stride-for-stride through the first twelve rallies, but Carson-Newman won seven consecutive points to jump ahead 13-6 before closing out the second frame.

Carson-Newman collected 3.5 total blocks, led by two block assists from senior Emily Schultz (Atlanta, Ga.) and freshman JaLesa Beaver (Katy, Texas).

In the third set, the Eagles never trailed as the squad hit .320 winning four of the final six points to earn the match victory.

Schultz led the way with five total kills while Pickett chipped in ten helpers and three kills.

Overall, Carson-Newman hit .245 in the match and finished with 11 service aces. The Eagles had six players finish with more than three kills and five athletes notch more than five digs.

"We emphasized tonight mixing up things," Mincey said of the team effort Tuesday night. "I think before we were a little consistent and easy to read. Our focus was not only mixing up our offense but changing the speed of our ball."

Harper finished with her sixth double-double in eight matches with 11 kills and 12 digs in addition to four service aces.

Pickett set a new career-high with seven kills while hitting .600 for the match. The junior also had 30 assists and five digs.

Schultz hit .273 while compiling ten kills and two block assists.

Carson-Newman begins a journey of four straight road games Friday evening at Newberry with first set slated for 7 p.m.

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