Volleyball Opens BSC Play at Gardner-Webb on Friday

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville volleyball team opens Big South Conference play this Friday night at Gardner-Webb starting at 7 p.m.

Fans can watch the match for free on the Big South Network at uncabulldogs.com under the multimedia tag.

Asheville (3-12) goes into league play on a high after a thrilling four-set home win over Wofford Tuesday night. The Bulldogs ended a seven-match losing with the victory and simply played much better than it had recently.

“I'm really pleased to go into Big South Conference play with the Wofford win under our belts,” commented fourth-year coach Frederico Santos. “Wofford has a good team and we had to play well to earn a victory.

“We weren't perfect and there's still plenty of work to do but hopefully this match gives us some confidence as we head into our Big South Conference season,” added Santos.

The Bulldogs will have a big challenge against Gardner-Webb as the Blue & White have not won against the Runnin' Bulldogs at Porter Arena in five years. GWU (7-11) has won six of its last eight matches, including a 3-2 victory over Charlotte last week.

“Gardner-Webb got off to a tough start this season due to a very strong non-conference schedule,” admitted Santos. “They're playing much better right now and have some great non-conference wins to their credit. We always have a tough time with them no matter where we play Gardner-Webb. I expect a close and tough match on Friday night.”

Shelby Erickson leads Asheville in kills with a 2.35 per set average, followed closely by Christine Lakatos with a 2.29 mark. Lakatos tops the club in digs with a 2.71 average. The junior also leads the Bulldogs in service aces with 19. Madison Vaughn is Asheville's top blocker with a 1.04 average.

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BULLDOG NOTES

This marks the fourth straight year that UNC Asheville and Gardner-Webb have opened Big South play with Asheville holding a 2-1 edge. However, the Runnin' Bulldogs own a 4-2 record vs. Asheville during that stretch in BSC matches. Four of the last seven times the teams have played the match has gone five sets.

The Bulldogs are 1-5 in road matches this season and 2-11 away from Asheville.

Frederico Santos has 93 career wins.

Christine Lakatos is fifth in the Big South in service aces with a 0.34 mark. Madison Vaughn is fifth in the league in blocks at 1.04.

Asheville's last two BSC wins on the road have come in five sets. Three of the Bulldogs last four BSC matches on the road have been five-set affairs.