Miotto Close to Record as Volleyball Heads to Winston-Salem State

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The red-hot UNC Asheville volleyball team is back on the road this weekend when the Bulldogs travel to Winston-Salem for the Winston-Salem State Invitational. Asheville will play four matches in the tournament and hope to build on its five-game winning streak.

Julie Torbett's club is 6-2 on the season and won the USC Upstate Invitational last weekend. The Bulldogs face Savannah State on Friday at 1 p.m., followed by a match against East Carolina at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Asheville will take on Wofford at 1 p.m. and then host Winston-Salem State at 4 p.m.

The Bulldogs were impressive at USC Upstate with three victories. Asheville stunned ACC foe N.C. State on Friday in four sets. It was the second straight year the Bulldogs have beaten the Wolfpack. On Saturday, Asheville quickly dispatched The Citadel and USC Upstate in three sets. Four players made the all-tournament team with senior Lauren Ficker being named MVP. The other players were Kelsey Benorden, Rachel Guinane and Raquel Miotto.

"We really played well at USC Upstate," commented Torbett. "We played well in all aspects of the game but we also played as a team. Everyone who played contributed and made a positive impact."

Torbett expects a tough tournament Winston-Salem State.

"We're going to have to keep playing well this weekend," added Torbett. "All four opponents are solid teams highlighted by playing a strong East Carolina squad. We want to keep winning but we'll have our work cut out for at Winston-Salem State."

Miotto could become the school and Big South's all-time leader in digs this weekend. She has 2,125 digs and needs 64 to move past former Bulldog great Elissa Steffen and become the all-time leader. The senior libero was named Big South Defensive Player of the Week on Monday by the league office.