Kelsey Benorden Named Big South Freshman of the Week for Volleyball

CHARLOTTE, N.C. ? Kelsey Benorden of UNC Asheville was tabbed as the New Balance Freshman of the Week, the League announced today. The rookie helped lead the Bulldogs to five straight victories last week.

Benorden, an outside hitter from Knoxville, Tenn., put down 76 kills, 3.30 kills per game, 51 digs and eight aces as the Bulldogs posted a 5-0 record on the week. She highlighted her week with a career-high 24 kills and 16 digs in UNC Asheville's win over North Carolina Central on Sept. 11. Five of her eight aces came against Mississippi Valley State at the Alabama State Invitational. She led the Bulldogs in kills in four of Asheville's five matches on the week.

Sophomore Lauren Ficker earned Big South Player of the Week Honorable Mention honors. Ficker set a school record for hitting percentage against Southern on Saturday when she hit an amazing .688 for the match. The former West Henderson standout had 12 kills on 16 attempts with just one error.

UNC Asheville (6-8) plays three times this week and will put its five-game winning streak on the line against East Tennessee State in Johnson City Wednesday night at 7 p.m.