University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Liberty
Liberty Volleyball Edges Asheville in Four Sets
10.16.2010 | Women's Volleyball
The Bulldogs (12-9, 5-3) were led by a game-high 21 kills from Cindi Miller. Kelsey Benorden had a double-double with 12 kills and 15 digs. Holly Shelton enjoyed a great match with 10 kills in 15 attempts.
Liberty (16-7, 7-1 BSC) had a great match from Hannah Anderson with 14 kills. Kendle Rollins finished with 12 kills and seven blocks. Kelly Haseman led the LU defense with 15 digs. Loren Thomas added nine kills and four blocks.
The key set of the match was the second. Asheville had won the first set behind nine kills from Miller. The home team went on a 5-0 run to lead 17-12 as the Bulldogs got two kills from Jenna Dover to build a lead.
After a Flame time-out, the visitors rallied to get back in the set. Getting back-to-back service aces from Jade Craycraft, Liberty surged ahead 22-21 as it ended a 4-0 run. The Bulldogs battled to three ties, the last on a Miller kill to make it 24-24. However, two kills from Bacon ended the set and tied the match at 1-1.
"We were leading 17-12 in the second set and lost some concentration," stated Bulldog coach Julie Torbett. "Liberty is a very good team and they fought back and earned the set. We let losing that set bother us for awhile, and you simply can't do that. We'll learn from this match."
Torbett had praise for Miller, Benorden and Shelton.
"Cindi Miller was terrific again today, like she has been all year," said Torbett. "Kelsey Benorden had a good match and the stats really don't give it justice. Holly Shelton was sensational."
In the third set, Liberty led 12-11 before going on a 7-0 run to take control of the match and lead 19-11. Rollins had four kills in the run. The Bulldogs made a late rally and got to 24-20 before the Flames won the set 25-20.
The visitors took control of the fourth set right away. Leading 3-2, LU outscored Asheville 10-2 to race to a 13-4 advantage. Bacon had three kills and the Bulldogs helped the cause with four attack errors. Asheville made another late run to creep to 21-17 on a Benorden kill. But after a Liberty time-out, Anderson had three kills over the next four points to give the Flames the victory.
UNC Asheville plays next at Coastal Carolina next Saturday afternoon at Noon. Liberty hosts High Point Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
