September 27, 2024

Carson-Newman Holds Off Tusculum, Advances to 4-0 in SAC Play

The Eagles rocked and rolled in enemy territory to advance to a perfect 4-0 in conference play.

Carson-Newman

8-3, 4-0 SAC

Tusculum

5-7, 3-1 SAC

Final	1	2	3	4	5	T
Carson-Newman 8-3, 4-0 SAC	25	25	23	21	15	3
Tusculum 5-7, 3-1 SAC	8	23	25	25	6	2

Cat Collins Interview

Blair Cherry Interview

Bennett McCombs Interview

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – The Eagles rocked and rolled in enemy territory to advance to a perfect 4-0 in conference play.

Facing its arch-rival, Carson-Newman (8-3, 4-0 SAC) dismantled Tusculum (5-7, 3-1 SAC) in front of a pro-Pioneer crowd. Maddie Hurst (Blaine, Tenn.) led the way with 17 kills.

Carson-Newman is 4-0 in conference play for the first time since 2020, a season where the Eagles only played conference opponents in the COVID season in the spring of 2021. It's the first time C-N has accomplished the feat in a full season since 2015.

"It's definitely a rivalry game," Carson-Newman volleyball head coach Cat Collins said. "This team fights harder than any team, so they're gonna fight back no matter what."

Sophomore setter Blair Cherry (Knoxville, Tenn.) debuted on the Carson-Newman leaderboard for career assists, surpassing Jennifer Hyde (1994-96), who ended her C-N tenure at 1,153 career assists, for tenth all-time. Cherry had __ in the match against Tusculum and now sits at ____ career assists.

Cherry ended the night just a kill away from Carson-Newman's first triple-double in program history, collecting 55 assists and 11 digs in the winning effort.

"I'm so thankful that I have great passers getting me the ball, great hitters that bop the ball," Carson-Newman setter Blair Cherry said. "Coach Cat is such a good leader as well."

Bennett McCombs (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) earned 26 digs in a new career high.

"There is just nothing like beating Tusculum at Tusculum," Carson-Newman libero Bennett McCombs said. "Tonight was great. I loved it."

First Set (25-8, C-N) – Carson-Newman started the set hot and never looked back. Carson-Newman began the match on a 6-0 run, and the leads kept getting more impressive, culminating in a 20-5, fifteen-point lead. Tusculum seemed to get on its feet at the tail end of the set, but it was too little too late as Carson-Newman held the Pios to just eight points, the lowest allowed in a set this season.

Second Set (25-23, C-N)—Pioneer Arena seemed tilted on Friday night. After changing sides, the Pioneers took an early 6-1 lead before Carson-Newman took its first timeout of the match. The Eagles battled back, tying the set at 11, before turning the tides. A 4-0 run late in the set gave Carson-Newman a healthy lead it could hold onto to go up two sets to none in the match.

Third Set (25-23, TU) – About as back and forth as they come, the third set featured 15 ties and seven lead changes. Carson-Newman pushed Tusculum to the brink, leading 23-22, but a 3-0 Pioneer run stole the set away for Tusculum as it held on for another set.

Fourth Set (25-21, TU) – The Pios came out firing on all cylinders in the fourth set, leading by as many as six points in the early stages of the set, attempting to capitalize on the momentum gained from the previous set victory. Carson-Newman crawled back, bringing the set within one point at 22-21, but a 3-0 TU run swiftly ended the frame, forcing a fifth set in front of a joyous pro-Tusculum crowd.

Fifth Set (15-6, C-N) – After losing a two-set lead, Carson-Newman found its second wind, dismantling Tusculum in the final set to take the match. The Eagles hit .500 in the frame while the opposing side hit all zeroes. The Pios could only muster six points in the fifth set as the Eagles denied Tusculum the comeback in front of the home fans.

The Eagles hit the court again in less than 24 hours for a 2:00 p.m. match on Saturday afternoon against UVA-Wise back at Holt Fieldhouse. Fans not making it to the match can watch with a subscription on FloSports or follow along on X @CN_Eagles.