University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
7-18,1-10Big South
Presbyterian
8-14,6-5Big South
Bulldogs take down Blue Hose in four-set battle
10.28.2023 | Women's Volleyball
CLINTON, S.C. — After dropping the first set of Saturday's match against Presbyterian, the UNC Asheville volleyball team bounced back to win the following three sets and earn its first Big South Conference win of the season (11-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-18).
The Bulldogs caught momentum nearly halfway through the second set, as Asheville trailed 11-8 before a block from Kylie Cackovic and Baylor Herlehy sparked a 7-1 run to help Asheville take a 16-13 lead. Presbyterian would tie the set at 17 and 19, but the Blue Hose were unable to jump back in the lead, as the Bulldogs went on to even the match 1-1. Tied at 17, Matilde Teixeira connected for back-to-back kills to help Asheville back out in front, and at 19, the Bulldogs took advantage of two Blue Hose errors and back-to-back service aces from Michelle Thao. Kills from Albertine van der Goot and Herlehy gave Asheville the final two points.
Asheville continued its hot streak into the third set, jumping ahead 4-0 to open the frame. The Bulldogs remained in the lead until Presbyterian tied the set at 17. The Blue Hose went on to take the lead 19-18, but the Bulldogs did not let up, as a kill from Cackovic evened the score. The Blue Hose retook a 1-point lead twice, but a 5-0 run from Asheville would close out the set and help the Bulldogs move ahead 2-1 in the match. Trailing by one, a kill from Cackovic tied the score at 21, and a kill from Herlehy gave Asheville the lead. The Bulldogs scored their final three points following a service ace from Cackovic and back-to-back Blue Hose errors.
In the final set, Presbyterian took a 3-1 before Asheville rallied back by scoring the following three points. Presbyterian evened the score at four and seven, but that was as close as they would get as a kill from Herlehy helped Asheville regain its lead (8-7), and the Bulldogs never looked back.
The Bulldogs finished with a 0.210 hitting percentage after finishing the first set with a -0.286 and following with a 0.300, 0.310, and a 0.469 in the remaining frames. Teixeira and Herlehy led Asheville with 15 and 13 kills, respectively. Herlehy also contributed three blocks. Cackovic recorded nine kills and two blocks. Ona Elkins recorded a career-high 38 assists, two blocks, and two service aces. Michelle Thao had 15 digs and three aces, and Katie Nichols had 12 digs.
Asheville will return to the Justice Center for its final three matches of the season as they host Winthrop next Friday, Nov. 3, at 6 p.m.
About Women's Athletics Presenting Partner First Bank
First Bank is the banking subsidiary of First Bancorp and is headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, with total assets of approximately $12.4 billion. As a state-chartered community bank, First Bank operates 118 bank branches in North Carolina and South Carolina. Since 1935, First Bank has taken a tailored approach to banking, combining best-in-class financial solutions, helpful local expertise, and technology to manage a home or business. First Bancorp's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "FBNC." Visit our website at www.LocalFirstBank.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.
