Kelsey Benorden & Raquel Miotto Named First Team All-Conference

ASHEVILLE, N.C. ? UNC Asheville sophomore outside hitter Kelsey Benorden and junior libero Raquel Miotto were named first team All Conference by the Big South Conference Thursday night at the league's awards banquet held at the Biltmore Doubletree Hotel.

Both players have enjoyed excellent seasons for the Bulldogs and helped lead UNC Asheville to a winning record at 16-13. The Bulldogs are the fourth seed in this weekend's tournament to be held at Justice Center and will take on fifth-seeded Winthrop Friday night starting at 7:30 p.m.

Benorden leads the Bulldogs in kills with a 3.49 per set average and is second on the club in digs with a 2.83 mark. She leads the Big South Conference in double-doubles this season with 17.

Miotto registered 614 digs this year (5.09 per set) and that led the Big South Conference in that category. Her 614 digs is the fifth most in a season in Bulldog history. Miotto has 1,917 career digs which is third most in Big South Conference.

Freshman outside hitter Cindi Miller made the league's All Freshman team. Miller has enjoyed an outstanding rookie campaign and has been named Big South Freshman of the Week three times this year. She was third on the team in kills with a 2.40 per set average.

Rounding out UNC Asheville's honors on Thursday was the selection of junior setter Kaitlyn McDaniel to the league's All-Academic team. McDaniel is majoring in Psychology and has a 3.81 GPA.