University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
UNC Wilmington
Miotto Reaches Milestone; Bulldogs Split First Day of Hilton RTP/NCCU Tournament
08.28.2009 | Women's Volleyball
DURHAM, N.C.-Raquel Miotto became the second player in Big South history to reach 2,000 career digs as UNC Asheville split a pair of matches on the opening day of the 2009 volleyball season at the Hilton RTP/NCCU Tournament hosted by North Carolina Central.
The Bulldogs opened the day falling to a much improved UNC Wilmington team 3-1 (25-17, 16-25, 25-23, 25-21). Junior Kelsey Benorden led the way for the Bulldogs with 22 kills and 14 digs for her first double-double of the season. Over the past two seasons, Benorden has led the Big South in double-doubles.
Miotto entered the season just 30 digs shy of the magical 2,000 mark. She had 24 digs in the opener to lead all players. Freshman Holly Shelton had an impressive debut with 10 kills on 14 swings posting a .571 attack percentage.
UNC Wilmington was led by Lindsey Strucko who posted 16 kills and 11 digs. The Seahawks were aided by seven service aces and 12 UNC Asheville service aces.
"We're very disappointed with today's result," stated UNC Asheville coach Julie Torbett. "We just didn't play like we're capable of playing and got beat. UNC Wilmington is much improved from last season but we should have played better."
In the second match, the Bulldogs responded with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-23) victory over South Carolina State. Once again it was Benorden who led the team in kills with nine but middle hitters Lauren Ficker and Shelton who made their kills count. Ficker had eight kills and a .462 percentage. She also added four blocks. Shelton had six kills and eight swings for a .625 percentage. Freshman Chelsie Kenley made her collegiate debut with five kills and 11 swings for a .455 percentage.
Miotto added 10 digs to give her 34 on the day pushing her career mark to 2,004. Only Elissa Steffen (1991-94) has more career digs (2,179).
"South Carolina State has improved a great deal over last season," said Torbett. "They were scrappy and passed the ball well. I was pleased with our attack especially out of the middle. I think we are starting at a higher point this season than we did last year. We are not 100% but we were able to try some different things. It is a learning process until you get into conference play. This was a good win tonight and we will try to get two more tomorrow."
The Bulldogs will face Elon at 1 p.m. and the Citadel at 6 p.m. The Citadel match will reunite Coach Torbett with Citadel head coach Cally Geiger who played at UNC Asheville from 1995-98.
