University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Radford
Volleyball Downs Radford in 4 Games
11.02.2007 | Women's Volleyball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Kelsey Benorden recorded 23 kills and a career-high 20 digs to lead UNC Asheville to a 3-1 Big South Conference volleyball victory over Radford Friday night at Justice Center. The Bulldogs won the match, 30-25, 30-24, 26-30, 30-22.
The freshman outside hitter also became the first UNC Asheville rookie to ever record 400 kills in a season. She now has 410 kills on the season. Benorden recorded her 400th kill in the third game.
Sophomore Lauren Ficker also had a great match for the Bulldogs as she has a career-high 18 kills. She hit .429 for the match and added four blocks.
Radford (8-21, 3-7 BSC) was led by Maggie Wagner's 15 kills and 17 digs. Lauren Halbert chipped in 10 kills. On defense, Lauren Clary had 15 digs, while Jose Hanners added 10.
Asheville (9-20, 2-9 BSC) also had Ashley Wrightenberry with a solid match as she had nine kills and six blocks. Sophomore setter Kaitlyn McDaniel had 61 assists and 11 digs. Raquel Miotto contributed 22 digs.
"Tonight was one of our better offensive performances," stated UNC Asheville coach Julie Torbett. "We have a good offense and I thought we put it all together this evening.
"Overall, it was a very good effort against a solid Radford club," added Torbett. "We played well in all areas of the game."
UNC Asheville won the first game after Radford controlled play in the first part of the match. The Highlanders raced to an early 14-9 lead only to see the Bulldogs come back behind the play of Ficker. She had five kills in the game. Asheville also did a good job blocking in the latter part of the first game as the Highlanders had 12 hitting errors in the opening game. The Bulldogs won, 30-25.
UNC Asheville had 19 kills in the second game and led from start to finish. The Bulldogs could never put the Highlanders away until a 4-0 run put them up, 28-22. Asheville won the second game, 30-24.
In the third game, Radford used a 5-0 run late in the game to pull ahead 25-21 and cruised from there to get back in the match, 30-26. Wagner led the Highlanders' effort with six kills in the game.
The Bulldogs were not interested in going to a fifth game as they quickly took charge of the fourth game with a 6-1 run to lead 20-15. Benorden would have six kills in the final game as UNC Asheville won the game and match, 30-22.
The Bulldogs host Big South leader Liberty Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. Radford heads to Presbyterian Saturday for a 4 p.m. match.
