November 11, 2025

All-around effort and spread attack launch Eagles to four-game win streak

Five Eagles collected at least five kills while defense held firm to collect the season sweep of UVA Wise.

Virginia-Wise

13-14,7-10 SAC

Carson-Newman

22-4,13-4 SAC

Final	1	2	3	T
Virginia-Wise 13-14,7-10 SAC	18	22	23	0
Carson-Newman 22-4,13-4 SAC	25	25	25	3

VIDEO: Highlights

VIDEO: Cat Collins Postgame Interview

VIDEO: Blair Cherry Postgame Interview

VIDEO: Raychel Ehlers Postgame Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Five Eagles collected at least five kills while defense held firm to collect the season sweep of UVA Wise.

In the first of the two final regular season games for Carson-Newman, the Eagles took care of UVA Wise in three sets (25-18, 25-22, and 25-23). The Eagles battled back from being down in each set to collect their fourth win in a row and move them to 22-4 on the season and 13-4 in the SAC.

"Our message all season has been just to be the best us we can be, and trying to generate as much of that as we can going into postseason," said head coach Cat Collins.

This Cavaliers team put the pressure on C-N too, needing a win to secure themselves in the SAC playoff picture. The Eagles denied them, though, utilizing a balanced offensive and defensive attack.

"They're fifth, so they're right below us in standings and we had a little bit of pressure. And just using those opportunities to work through different emotions. As we go into postseason, there's going to be a lot higher stakes, a lot more emotions.So we're just trying to play with that and stay composed," said Collins.

In set one, Carson-Newman was out to a 5-1 lead which Wise turned it around quick. After they crawled back to an 8-7 lead, the Eagles struggled with service errors that threw off momentum. C-N wouldn't retake the lead until 20 points later, using kills from Maddie Hurst and Emerson Ahsmuhs to get them back in the set. From there, it was all Eagles when Raychel Ehlers went on a six point run at the end of the set that included two aces to take set one 25-18. Four different attackers for C-N had three or more kills in the first set.

The Eagles continued to spread the ball throughout the match. Set two would see five different Eagles log multiple kills. The Eagles gained 8-5 lead on the Cavaliers, but Wise wouldn't go away easy. The best blocking team in the conference kicked into gear at the net, notching two big blocks while using kills from Mailea Hufnagel to grab a 16-12 lead and force a C-N timeout. Bella Cardello was activated out of the timeout, combining with Ahsmuhs on the far side for a momentum shifting block and a kill to keep the Eagles back to a tied score at 18. Ehlers nearly ended the set again at the hand of her serve, but an attack error from Wise gave the Eagles a 25-22 victory in set two and the 2-0 lead. Raychel Ehlers led the attack with five kills in the second set to go along with four digs.

The dogfight continued in set three with both teams tied 16-16 toward the latter half of the set. However, Hurst got to work, slamming seven kills home in the third set to help edge out the Cavaliers. Trinity Hafey and Blair Cherry were humming on defense, scrambling to give the Eagle attackers a chance to swing. Despite a late push by Wise, Maddie Hurst would power one down to end the match with a 25-23 score in set three.

Three Eagle hitters were in double digit kills for C-N. Maddie Hurst led the Eagle offense with 16 kills and a .577 hitting percentage to assist Carson-Newman in a .328 clip as a team. Annie Dziczkowski and Emerson Ahsmuhs firmed up the Eagles victory with 11 and 10 kills each, respectively.

Blair Cherry ran the table expertly, handing out 41 assists to go along with a team leading 13 digs. The double-double is the 9th in 2025 for the junior setter and her 37th of her career. The reigning SAC offensive player of the week recorded a 13.67 assist per set mark in the win.

Trinity Hafey matched Cherry on defense with 13 digs to go along with a service ace. Ehlers was as balanced as it gets for C-N, grabbing 8 kills, 7 digs, and 3 service aces.

"I fully believe in this team. Our staff fully believes in this team that we have the talent to beat anybody. We just are making sure that we create an environment where our emotions aren't the center stage, our talent is," said Collins

With this win and a Lenoir-Rhyne loss this evening, Carson-Newman sits tied for third in the SAC at 13-4. If both teams win on Friday, Lenoir-Rhyne holds the tiebreaker and C-N will be the 4th seed in the SAC tournament. If the Bears lose on Friday and Carson-Newman wins, the Eagles will be the 3rd seed in the SAC tournament.

Carson-Newman has one match left to go in the regular season before the conference tournament. The Newberry Wolves visit Mossy Creek Friday evening at 7:00 PM for senior night at Holt Fieldhouse.