University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
1-2,0-0Big South
Queens (N.C.)
2-1,0-0ASUN
Bulldogs battle hard but fall in four sets to Queens (NC)
08.27.2022 | Women's Volleyball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The UNC Asheville volleyball team dropped the final match of the UNC Asheville invitational to Queens University of Charlotte in four sets (23-25, 21-25, 25-21,16-25) on Saturday, putting them at 1-2 to start the season.
The Bulldogs played two close sets against the Royals to begin the match, leading for the majority of the first set. Queens, however, kept the lead close and tied the game up at 20-20 before overtaking the Bulldogs. In the second set, Asheville kept within striking distance but were never able to take a commanding lead and fell 25-21.
Down 0-2, the Bulldogs battled back, winning the third set in dominant fashion. They held the Royals to .128 hitting percentage and Kat Cruser hammered six of her 14 kills. They never gave up the lead, even with a late challenge from the Royals, cutting the lead to three with the Bulldogs on the verge on winning the set. In the final set, Queens took control early and never let up, defeating the Bulldogs handily and winning the match 25-16.
The Bulldogs were led today by libero Giulia Rodrigues, who led all players with 26 digs, setting a season-high for the team and her highest total as a Bulldog. Pelin Aksoy tallied her first double-double of her collegiate career, as the freshman totaled 11 kills and 10 digs, served an ace, and had a hitting percentage of .281.Â
Aksoy with some power!#ALLinAVL pic.twitter.com/KECo0NAz2q
— Asheville Volleyball (@UNCAvlVB) August 27, 2022
Other matches Day Two - In other action for the UNC Asheville Invitational, Queens University of Charlotte and Morehead State each swept Stonehill in straight sets.
Next Up - The Bulldogs will continue their homestand to start the season when they face off against local mountain rival, Western Carolina, on ESPN+ on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Justice Center.
