University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
NC State
Dogs Down Wolfpack in Five Sets; Benorden Earns All-Tournament
09.13.2008 | Women's Volleyball
RELEIGH, N.C.?Kelsey Benorden had 15 kills and a career-high 23 digs to lead UNC Asheville to a 25-19, 17-25, 20-25, 26-24, 15-12 victory over North Carolina State on Saturday night. The victory was UNC Asheville's first volleyball victory over an ACC opponent in school history.
Benorden was named to the All-Tournament team as she recorded double-doubles in two of the three matches as the Bulldogs (5-4) went 2-1 and earned a second place finish behind William & Mary.
Heather Burns also had 15 kills for the Dogs as Lauren Ficker added 14 kills and Cindi Miller recorded a season best 11 kills and 10 digs for her first career double-double. Raquel Miotto added 22 digs in the match.
“This is a great win for our program,” said Asheville Head Coach Julie Torbett. “Anytime you beat an ACC team it gives you a lot of confidence. I thought we played very well in this tournament and hopefully we can build on this victory and carry it into the rest of the season.”
NC State (4-8) was led by Arlee Tamietti with 16 kills and 13 digs. The Wolfpack out-dug the Bulldogs 12-4 to build a 2-1 lead in the match but the fourth set was the one that turned the match.
The fourth set saw eight ties. With the set tied 15-15, Asheville went on a 6-2 run to take a 21-17 lead. After a timeout, The Pack answered with a run to tie the set at 23-23 and again at 24-24. Kaitlyn McDaniel recorded a kill to give the Dogs set point and Ficker put away the set to tie the match at two sets apiece.
In the deciding set, the teams switched sides with NC State leading 8-7 but a service error tied the set at 8-8. Asheville scored the next four points off Ficker's serve forcing NC State to take both of its timeouts. A kill by Miller and an NC State attack error gave Asheville six match points at 14-9. NC State scored three-straight points but finally Burns put the ball down for the victory.
NC State out-hit UNC Asheville .178 to .133 but the Dogs held a slim defensive advantage with 85 digs to 83 for the Pack.
UNC Asheville has won two-straight matches for the first time this season and will travel to Western Carolina on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. match.
