ASHEVILLE, N.C.?Cindi Miller recorded a season-high 20 kills and Kelsey Bendorden recorded her 13th double-double of the season to lead UNC Asheville to 25-23, 19-25, 21-25, 25-22, 15-11 victory over Winthrop on Saturday afternoon.
The victory was UNC Asheville's (12-11, 4-6 Big South) first over Winthrop (9-15, 5-6 Big South) since Nov. 14, 2002, a span of 15 matches. It was also Asheville's fourth victory in its last five matches.
Miller had tied her career best with 16 kills in each of her last two matches. Her 20 kill performance on Saturday gives her five straight matches with at least 10 kills. Benorden recorded 15 kills and 22 digs as she continues to lead the Big South in double-doubles. Raquel Miotto had her fourth straight match with at least 30 digs as she had a match-high 36 digs. Asheville went over the 100 digs mark as a team for the second straight match finishing with 101 digs. Heather Burns had her fifth straight match in double figures as she contributed 12 kills and three blocks.
Winthrop was led by Shannon Sitzmann who had 20 kills, 20 digs, and three blocks. Kaley Viola had 13 kills and 20 digs and Kelley Taylor added 14 kills and four blocks. Sara Felts chipped in 12 kills and five blocks as the Eagles held a 14-5 blocking advantage.
“This is a great win for us,” said Asheville head coach Julie Torbett. “Winthrop played very well. Their block was the best we have seen this year and Sitzmann was terrific today. I think playing all of these five-set matches is paying off for us. We do not get rattled and we are playing as a team. Cindi Miller had a great match. She wants the ball when things are tight. It has been a long time since we have beaten Winthrop and I am glad we did it on a day when they played very well.”
Asheville began the match with intensity as it built leads of 10-5 and 19-14 in the opening set behind six kills from Benorden. Winthrop battled back to tie the set at 22 and at 23. An Eagle attack error and a service ace by Benorden gave Asheville the set.
Winthrop used the momentum from the comeback in to the second set. The Eagles used a strong block and controlled play never trailing on way to a 25-19 win to tie the match.
The Eagles built leads of 10-6 and 14-9 in the third set but the Dogs went on a 6-1 run to tie the set at 15. The two teams played side out volleyball until 21-21 when it looked like Asheville would go ahead but a pancake dig by Janice Rivera turned the point. Winthrop won the point and then the next three to win 25-21 and lead two games to one.
The fourth set saw 11 ties with the final one coming at 20-20. Again what looked like a point for one team turned into a point for the other as Sitzmann had what looked like a kill hit the foot of Asheville's Brooke Holiday. The play continued and Asheville won the point. A kill by Burns put the Dogs up two points at 22-20. After each team sided out twice, Sitzmann missed her serve on set point to give Asheville the 25-22 win and force the deciding set.
Tied 5-5 in the final set, Asheville went on a 7-3 run to take control of the match at 12-8. Winthrop scored back-to-back points to make the score 12-10 but that is al close as the Eagles would get. Benorden had two of the final three kills including one on match point to give the Dogs their second straight five set victory.
Both teams return to the court on Wednesday. Asheville will host Gardner-Webb at 7 p.m. in the JusticeCenter and Winthrop will travel to Charleston Southern at 6 p.m.
