University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Miotto & Ficker Make Big South Preseason All-Conference Team in Volleyball
08.15.2007 | Women's Volleyball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The UNC Asheville volleyball team had two players picked for the Big South Preseason All-Conference team. The league announced on Wednesday that sophomore libero Raquel Miotto and sophomore middle blocker Lauren Ficker made the six-person team. In addition, the Bulldogs were picked to finish in third place in this year's Big South Conference race behind defending champion Winthrop and Liberty.
Miotto enjoyed a superb freshman season for UNC Asheville as she was a first team all-conference performer, a member of the all-rookie team and made the Big South All-Tournament team. She averaged 5.72 digs per game, second best in the league.
Ficker was second on the team and fifth in the Big South in hitting percentage last season with a .215 mark. She was second on the team in blocks with 82.
"I was glad to see Raquel and Lauren honored on the preseason team," stated UNC Asheville coach Julie Torbett. "They both had tremendous freshmen seasons and we're glad to have them for three more years.
"We will see how the league race goes," added Torbett. "Winthrop has won the league title five straight years and they have to be considered the favorite until someone beats them."
The Bulldogs have advanced to the league title game three of the past four years and finished last year in second place in the Big South Conference with a 10-4 mark. Asheville was 15-18 overall but recovered from a 2-12 start to win 13 of its final 18 matches.
Torbett's squad opens the 2007 season at the Florida State Invitational Aug. 24-25, taking on Texas Christian on Aug. 24.
The Bulldogs play their first home matches the following weekend (Aug. 31-Sept. 1) when they host the UNC Asheville Invitational. Mountain rival Western Carolina will be the Bulldogs first home match on Aug. 31 at Justice Center starting at 7 p.m.
