University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Winthrop
Bulldogs Face Winthrop with Tournament Berth on the Line
11.11.2016 | Women's Volleyball
THE MATCHUP
Teams: UNC Asheville (11-15, 5-10 BSC)
Winthrop University (15-16, 6-9 BSC)
Location: Winthrop Coliseum, Rock Hill, S.C.
Time: Saturday, Nov. 12, 1 p.m.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville women's volleyball team looks to earn a berth in the Big South Conference Championship Tournament, facing the Winthrop Eagles in the final match of the regular season, Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. at the Winthrop Coliseum in Rock Hill, S.C.
NOTABLES
Last Time Out: The Bulldogs dropped a five-set match at Presbyterian on Tuesday night. The two teams alternated set victories, with Presbyterian taking the final set 15-9. Shelby Erickson had 15 kills for Asheville while Madison Vaughn and Ansley Rooks had 14 and 13 respectively.
Big South Berth on the Line: Heading into this final regular-season match, the Bulldogs are one game behind Winthrop for the sixth and final position in the conference tournament. UNC Asheville defeated Winthrop in their prior match so should the Bulldogs triumph again, the head-to-head tiebreaker would give the Bulldogs the tournament slot.
On Winthrop: It has been "A Tale of Two Seasons" for the Eagles. They went winless in their first nine Big South Conference matches, but have roared back to win the last six, including four on the road. In Thursday's victory over Presbyterian, Winthrop senior Brianna Gray set a program attack percentage record, with 16 kills in 20 attacks and no errors.
The Rematch: The Bulldogs enter the match having lost four straight while the Eagles have won six straight. But the last time the teams met, the Bulldogs dominated the Eagles, winning in four sets at the Justice Center. The Bulldog defense was anchored by sophomore libero Madisen Zyburt who had 14 digs.
QUOTABLES
"Tomorrow is our last conference match. We have, despite recent losses, improved our play greatly. We have been unfortunate not to come out with a result in those matches but our overall play has improved. We are more consistent through longer periods in the match. Our team is ready to battle tomorrow." –Head Coach Frederico Santos
UP NEXT
One of these two teams will earn a berth in Big South Championship Tournament hosted by Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. on Nov. 18-20.
