NEWBERRY — The Newberry College volleyball team notched its first South Atlantic Conference victory of the season Saturday afternoon, sweeping Carson-Newman 3-0 (25-14, 25-14, 25-21) at Eleazer Arena.
The match moves Newberry to 4-7 on the season and 1-2 in South Atlantic Conference play. The Eagles now 1-7 and 1-3 in SAC play.
The Wolves, who were swept by Lincoln Memorial 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-18) on Friday night at Eleazer Arena, begin a three game road swing against SAC preseason favorite Wingate (10-0, 2-0 SAC) on Tuesday.
On Saturday, Newberry started out on fire, racing out to a 9-2 advantage. Carson-Newman pulled to within six points but could not get any closer. Madison Darby-McClure tallied the final kill of the set to give the Wolves a 1-0 lead. Darby-McClure, Toni-Anne Whitlow and Logan Hayward all had three kills apiece in the first set.
The second set was back and forth before it was deadlocked at 12-12. Newberry then went on a 13-2 run to win set number two 25-14. The Wolves committed a match-low two errors and had a .314 attack percentage.
The two sides once again battled early on, as it was 10-10 at the beginning of the third set. Newberry used an 8-2 run to lead 18-12. The Wolves collected three service aces during that span. The Eagles attempted to hang around, cutting the lead to four points at two separate occasions. Maggie Marsh used a quick tip to seal the third set and the match for Newberry. The Wolves hit a match-best .393 during the set.
Newberry had a season-best .299 attack percentage overall. Whitlow led the scarlet and gray with nine kills. Hayward collected eight kills and a match-high 16 digs. Marsh contributed a match-high 30 assists. The Wolves had a balanced attack as six players tallied at least four kills.
Abbie McFarlane had a match-high 10 kills for Carson-Newman. Anna Patton dished out 28 assists and Taylor Lowe accumulated 14 digs for the Eagles.
In Friday’s match against Lincoln Memorial, Madison Darby-McClure tallied four kills in the first set to lead the Wolves. Logan Hayward, Sidra Triplett and Andie Meredith all chipped in three kills apiece. Lincoln Memorial raced out to a 5-0 advantage before the Wolves reeled in the Railsplitters to pull within 8-7.
LMU led 20-13 before Newberry attempted a rally. The Wolves fought off six set points but Liz Block notched the kill and the set for Lincoln Memorial. LMU hit a match best .257 in the opening set.
Kiera Holland notched eight kills for the Railsplitters in set number two, while Hayward collected five kills for the Wolves. Neither team could gain much separation as there were 10 ties and four lead changes. The set was tied at 22-22 before LMU rattled off three straight points to win the set.
Newberry was hampered by 12 errors in the third set. However, the Wolves remained within striking distance throughout set. Newberry and LMU were tied at 17-17 before the Railsplitters used an 8-1 run to sweep the match.
Hayward led the Wolves with 10 kills and 13 digs. Maggie Marsh had 19 assists and Kensley Jordan collected 14 digs. Holland led LMU with 13 kills and Tone Gill had four block assists.