University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Gardner-Webb
Volleyball Sweeps Gardner-Webb
10.23.2007 | Women's Volleyball
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.-- Kelsey Benorden led three UNC Asheville hitters in double-figures with 18 kills and 15 digs as the Bulldogs snapped an 11-match losing streak with a 30-26, 30-22, 30-23 victory at Gardner-Webb Tuesday night.
Benorden recorded her 15th double-double of the season while Alysha Greer had 13 kills. Lauren Ficker had 10 kills and five blocks, and Ashley Wrightenberry had nine kills on 14 swings for a .643 attack percentage for Asheville as it improves to 7-19 on the season.
Gardner-Webb (13-14) was led offensively by Ashley Pridgeon with 12 kills. Heidi Steinbrunner had 11 digs to pace the home standing Bulldogs defensively.
"This was a much needed victory for our team," said Asheville head coach Julie Torbett. "We have been playing better volleyball the last couple of matches and to get a win on the road is a real boost to our confidence heading into this weekend."
Asheville had four players record double-figures in digs as the Dogs out-dug GWU 75-61 on the match. Raquel Miotto led all players with 23 digs. Bridget Holliday had a career-high 16 digs and Brooke Holliday added 10 digs.
Asheville had its third best hitting night of the season posting a .255 team attack percentage. The Dogs hit .465 against Southern on Sept. 15, and hit .283 against USC Upstate on Sept. 1. Asheville held GWU to a .133 attack percentage. Both teams had five blocks in the match.
Gardner-Webb scored the first three points of game one before the Bulldogs got on the scoreboard with a kill by Greer. With the game tied 10-10, Asheville went on a 10-3 run to take control of the opening game. GWU answered with a 9-4 run to pull to 24-22, but Asheville held off the charge to take the opener 30-26.
Game two was a sideout battle until the teams were tied 15-15. Asheville then went on another 10-3 run to take command of the game 25-18. The Dogs played sideout volleyball the rest of the way for the 30-22 victory.
The final game was tied 13-13 before Asheville score three-straight points to get a little breathing room. The Dogs grew the lead to 25-20 before taking five of the final eight points capped by a Benorden kill on match points to win 30-23.
Asheville returns to the Justice Center to face Charleston Southern on Friday night. The match will begin at 6 p.m. and be followed by Jammin at the Justice.
