Carson-Newman Avenges September Loss to LMU

HARROGATE, TN – Tuesday night’s 3-1 loss to the Lady Eagle volleyball team was an uphill battle for the Lady Railsplitters who have now lost six of their last seven matches.  Carson-Newman got some payback for the 3-0 loss LMU handed them on September 12 in Jefferson City by winning 31-29 and 30-28, losing 30-23 and winning 35-33 in the final game. (Box score)

LMU senior Blythe McCulley (Springfield, IL) spearheaded the Lady Railsplitter charge with a game-high 21 kills, while freshman teammate Alison Hess (Dayton, OH) added 19.  Freshman setter Amber Vanderlin (Mesquite, TX) also contributed 50 assists in the loss.

Defensively four Lady Railsplitters earned double figures in the digs category.  Jency Basinger (Temecula, CA) set the tone with 19, while Vanderlin chipped in 18, McCulley had 16 and junior Karlee Wyrick (Cincinnati, OH) had 13.

Carson-Newman’s offense was carried by setter Kari Gibson who handed out an incredible 62 assists on the night.  Melissa Miller and Kelsey Fleck both recorded 16 kills, while Kelli Sorensen and Kari Gibson had 12 each and Meg Davis 11.

Defense may have been the key to the win for the Lady Eagles.  Haley Bush charted 27 digs, while Kelsey Fleck added 20, Melissa Miller 19 and Salem Stepp 16 on the way to Carson-Newman’s thirteenth win of the year.

The LMU women fall to 17-10 overall and will try to get back on the winning track Wednesday night when they play host to Mars Hill College at home in the Mary E. Mars Gymnasium.  The Lady Splitters will be trying to snap a four-game losing skid when they take the floor against the Lady Lions at 6:00 p.m.

Carson-Newman def. Lincoln Memorial 31-29,30-28,23-30,35-33

Carson-Newman (13-12) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Kelsey Fleck 16-3-1; Melissa Miller 16-3-2; Kari Gibson 12-2-2; Kelli Sorensen 12-0-1; Meg Davis 11-0-3; Katie Troyer 8-3-1; Salem Stepp 1-1-0; Haley Bush 0-1-0; Totals 76-13-6.5. (Assists) - Kari Gibson 62. (Dig leaders) - Haley Bush 27; Kelsey Fleck 20; Melissa Miller 19; Salem Stepp 16

Lincoln Memorial (17-10) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Blythe McCulley 21-0-0; Alison Hess 19-0-6; Joy Otto 8-0-2; Cami Lefeld 8-0-2; Amanda Horenkamp 6-2-0; Jaclyn Dvorscak 5-0-1; Amber Vanderlin 4-2-3; Karlee Wyrick 0-2-0; Jency Basinger 0-1-0; Totals 71-7-8.0.
(Assists) - Amber Vanderlin 50. (Dig leaders) - Jency Basinger 19; Amber Vanderlin 18; Blythe McCulley 16; Karlee Wyrick 13; Amanda Horenkamp 9; Alison Hess 9

Site: Harrogate, TN (Mars Gym)

Date: Oct 17, 2006   Attend: 180   Time: 2:01

Referees: Ed Clark, Gary Ramsey