JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Anderson volleyball team posted its lowest hitting percentage in three seasons and was unable to slow down Carson-Newman, as the Eagles defeated the Trojans at Holt Fieldhouse, 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-19) in South Atlantic Conference play, Saturday afternoon.
Anderson slipped to 11-4 overall and 5-3 in league play, while Carson-Newman (14-2, 7-1 SAC) moved into a tie atop the Mountain Division standings, alongside Mars Hill with its fourth straight win and 13th victory in its last 14 decisions.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Senior outside hitter Liliana Kinder led the Trojans with eight kills and had four digs, while senior middle hitter Noelle Knutsen added six kills, three solo blocks and a block assist. Senior Madison Roy and junior Jenna Long each registered 11 assists apiece, while senior Lindsay McCurley came up with a team-high 14 digs. Junior outside hitter Tabitha Wheeler and sophomore Hannah Neff each recorded nine digs apiece.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
Junior Tabitha Wheeler, who saw her first action on the court since the UIndy tournament, led the Trojans with three kills in the opening frame, but Carson-Newman jumped out to an 8-1 lead and AU was unable to recover.
The Trojans did slice the Eagles' cushion to just three, at 16-13, but C-N countered with a 7-2 run to put the set out of reach.
Second Set
Carson-Newman hit a red-hot .387 in the second stanza, but the Trojans were within two (11-9) before the Eagles went on an 11-2 scoring outburst and claimed the double-digit win.
Third Set
The score was deadlocked seven times in the third set, before C-N edged out to a 15-12 advantage and held the Trojans at bay down the stretch.
ANDERSON STAT OF THE DAY
The Trojans lost at Holt Fieldhouse for the first time since the 2018 season.
NOTABLES
• Carson-Newman remained undefeated at home, while improving to 4-0.
• The overall series between AU and Carson-Newman, which began in 2006, is deadlocked at 16-16.
UP NEXT
The Trojans' schedule features just two matches over the next 11 days, with Limestone visiting the Electric City on Sept. 30, followed by a trip to Newberry on Tuesday, Oct. 4.
