Volleyball Wins Pool at East Tennessee State

JOHNSON CITY, TENN. ?The UNC Asheville volleyball team was in action over the weekend at a tournament hosted by East Tennessee State. Asheville went 5-1 against Lees-McRae, Tusculum, and Carson-Newman to win its pool.

The Bulldogs went 3-1 on the weekend in its first competition of the spring. The spring season is a time for teams to assess skills before the fall season. “I felt we played very well at times and we were able to incorporate what we have been working on this spring into the sets,” said Asheville head coach Julie Torbett. “I think we have a new sense of direction for where we still lack in skill and performance and that is what we will focus on the remainder of the spring season.”

Spring matches were just two sets rather than the best of five sets played during the fall season. Asheville split the two sets with Lees McRae winning 25-23 and losing 24-26. The Bulldogs defeated Tusculum 25-15 and 25-16 and defeated Carson-Newman 25-20 and 25-22. The Bulldogs lost in tournament play to Lee University 19-25 and 22-25.

Kelsey Benorden had 19 kills in the three matches during pool play. She added nine digs, and three blocks in six sets. Cindi Miller had a strong match against Tusculum with seven kills while hitting .462. Rachel Olivo had six kills, three blocks, and hit .555 against Lees-McRae. Jenna Dover had seven kills on 10 swings against Tusculum.

Defensively, Raquel Miotto had 22 digs in the three matches during pool play. Bridget Holliday led the team with eight digs against Lee.

The Bulldogs went 18-14 last fall and will open up the 2009 season on August 28, as they compete in the North Carolina Central Tournament.