PULASKI, Tenn. – The Martin Methodist Volleyball team showcased its flair for the dramatic as it clinched the 2019 SSAC regular-season championship in style, defeating William Carey (Miss.) in a five-set thriller Saturday afternoon in the Curry Christian Life Center.

The win gave the RedHawks (20-6, 11-0 SSAC) their first-ever conference crown since joining the league seven years ago. The RedHawks painstakingly finished runner-up in the league in 2018, but left no doubt this season as they cruised to their first-ever league title.

The victory also ensured the RedHawks of a perfect home record this season, running their unbeaten streak in the CLC to 13 matches this season and 20 matches overall dating back to last September.

"We have all worked so hard for this achievement," RedHawks head coach Alison Williams said. "This has been part of a rebuilding process over the last six seasons. To see it finally come to fruition, on our home court, is something we will cherish for a long time."

The title is the fourth regular-season banner all-time for the RedHawks, including three straight regular-season titles from 2005-2007 in the now-defunct TranSouth Athletic Conference.

The win was not an easy one, however, as the RedHawks were forced to dig deep in a five-set showdown versus a scrappy William Carey squad.

After taking the first set 25-20, the RedHawks dropped a hard-fought second frame by a 25-22 margin. The third set broke in favor of the RedHawks by a 25-21 scoreline, but the visitors rallied in the fourth for another 25-22 decision.

The fifth and deciding set was a thriller, with both teams making runs before the RedHawks surged ahead late and took home the 15-12 victory.

The RedHawks racked up 64 kills as a team in the win, led by Rebecka Cronin's 18 finishes. Kara Nelms and Kaitlyn Lund flanked Cronin with 13 and 12 kills each as the RedHawks hit .181 as a team.

Senior setter Sydney Arnold flirted with a triple-double as she posted 50 assists and 18 digs, but added a career-best six kills in Saturday's victory.

Teammate Hayley Brisendine led the RedHawk defense with a game-high 34 digs. Five total RedHawks finished with double-digit digs as Summer Jackson racked up 17, while Cronin added 11 digs of her own for a double-double performance.

Kara Nelms also notched a double-double on the evening as she recorded 19 digs to go along with her 13 kills.

"This was a true team performance against a determined William Carey team," Williams said. "To turn them back the way we did at home speaks to the character of this team and where they have come over the last few years. We still have three tough matches, two of which are in conference, left on our schedule before we can start to focus on the postseason. But for tonight, we will really savor this win."