University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Volleyball Home Twice This Weekend
10.02.2014 | Women's Volleyball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville volleyball team returns to Justice Center this weekend for a pair of Big South Conference matches against two of the league's top teams. Asheville entertains defending BSC champion Radford Friday at 7 p.m., followed by a match with Liberty Saturday at 2 p.m.
Saturday's match with Liberty will be video-streamed and can be seen on the Big South Network for free under the multimedia tag at uncabulldogs.com.
Asheville (3-13, 0-1 BSC) opened Big South Conference play at Gardner-Webb and fell in five sets. The Bulldogs dropped the first two sets, roared back to win the next two before falling, 15-11 in the fifth set.
After losing seven straight matches, the Blue & White showed some improvement last week with a four-set victory vs. Wofford before being edged out in five stats at Gardner-Webb.
The Bulldogs need for that improvement to continue this weekend with Radford and Liberty in town. The Highlanders (10-6, 0-1 BSC) posted impressive non-conference wins this season over California, Maryland and Marshall. RU has most of its team back from its Big South-championship team from 2013.
Liberty is playing very well right now and won nine of its last 11 matches. The Flames are 13-5 overall and 1-0 in league play after a 3-1 win over Radford last weekend. They'll play at Gardner-Webb Friday night before coming to Asheville.
“We've got a tough weekend coming up,” admitted Bulldog coach Frederico Santos. “Radford and Liberty are two outstanding teams that brought a lot of prestige to the Big South during non-conference play. Both teams are experienced and know how to win. We'll need to play our best to have a chance this weekend.”
Sophomore outside hitter Shelby Erickson leads Asheville in kills with a 2.41 per set average, followed by Christine Lakatos with a 2.38 mark. Lakatos tops the Bulldogs in digs (2.79) and service aces (0.38). Sophomore middle blocker Madison Vaughn leads Asheville in blocks at 1.00 per set.
The Bulldogs hope to end a five-match losing streak Radford. RU has won its last three visits to Justice Center. With its win last season, the Highlanders clinched the Big South regular-season title. Liberty has beaten the Bulldogs nine of the last 10 times, including three wins last year.
