JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman volleyball team racked up a total of 40 kills in a three-set sweep of the UNC Pembroke volleyball team this afternoon in game two of the Carson-Newman Classic at the Holt Fieldhouse. The scores of the three sets were 25-15, 25-12 and 25-17.
UNCP (0-2) couldn't get into an offensive groove, hitting just .021 percent and committing 22 attack errors en route to being shut out by the Eagles (2-0). Newcomer Caroline Pridgen notched a .333 hitting percentage, while Marissa Baker hit a team-best seven kills. Sabrina Gonzalez dished out 23 assists and Danielle Brown controlled the defense collecting 15 digs. Rachael Harper and Kiayna O'Neal led the way for the Carson-Newman offense totaling 11 kills and nine kills, respectively. The Eagles have now won two-straight against the Lady Braves and improve to 6-2 all-time against the Black and Gold.
Carson-Newman directed the momentum for the first two sets, never allowing UNCP to take the lead. The Eagles tallied a .281 hitting percentage in the first set, followed by a .300 hitting percentage in set number two. Jessica Sokol served five-straight points to bring Carson-Newman to set point before Harper finished the set with a kill. The second set saw the Eagles ahead by as much as 13, after a five-point run by Kristina Hill. A kill from UNCP's Cecilia Brandon was too little too late as Harper closed out set two with a kill for the Eagles.
The final set started off on a better note for the Lady Braves as Sarah Bower and Morgan Westphal combined for five points to give UNCP its first lead of the match at 9-5. The Lady Braves were able to keep the set tight until a Carson-Newman offensive surge gave the Eagles a 21-13 advantage after back-to-back UNCP attack errors. Harper once again finished the set with a kill, giving Carson-Newman the match point.
The Black and Gold will be back at it tomorrow for the second day of competition at the Carson-Newman Classic. UNCP will face Converse (0-2) at 10 a.m., followed by a 4 p.m. contest with Tusculum (2-0). All matches are played inside of the Holt Fieldhouse.
