University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Volleyball Begins Practice for 2009 Season
08.07.2009 | Women's Volleyball
The Bulldogs are coming an 18-14 overall record from 2008 and return most of their team for the upcoming campaign.
Julie Torbett, UNC Asheville's all-time winningest coach, is looking forward to the upcoming season.
"We're pleased to be starting the year," commented Torbett. "Everyone has worked hard in the off-season and should be ready to go. We've got plenty of work to do before our first matches but I like what I see so far."
Asheville has five seniors on this year's club, and Torbett is pleased to have that many seniors on the roster.
"We should get a lot of leadership from our seniors," explained Torbett. "They went to a Big South championship match as freshmen, and I'm sure they want to compete for one as seniors.
"The past few years we've only had one senior, so it'll be nice to have the added experience," added Torbett.
The Bulldogs placed two players on the Big South Conference's Preseason All-League team. They are senior libero Raquel Miotto and junior outside hitter Kelsey Benorden. Miotto should become the school's and Big South's all-time leader in digs this year. Benorden was a first team all-conference performer as a sophomore and should be among the league's best in 2009.
However, Torbett likes the depth that Asheville has this year.
"We want to stay from injuries but our depth is really good and the best it has been in awhile," stated Torbett. "When you have depth, you have competition for playing time and everyone gets better."
The Bulldogs will host their annual Blue-White Scrimmage on Aug. 25 at Justice Center. The season begins with a tournament at North Carolina Central the weekend of Aug. 28-29. Asheville will play UNC Wilmington, South Carolina State, The Citadel and Elon at the tournament. The Bulldogs return home on Sept. 2 to host mountain rival Western Carolina at Justice Center on Sept. 2.
