University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Western Carolina
Bulldogs begin road stint with stop at Western Carolina
09.04.2023 | Women's Volleyball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville volleyball team kicks off an eight-game road stint on Tuesday, with their first stop being in Cullowhee to face the Catamounts of Western Carolina.
LAST TIME OUT
The Bulldogs entered this past week 3-1, before dropping back-to-back matches to Furman, bringing their record to 3-3. Asheville fell in three sets both times they faced the Paladins. Kylie Cackovic led the Bulldogs on the week with 20 kills between both matches, and Katie Nichols led the defensive efforts with a total of 53 digs. Baylor Herlehy had a strong outing against the Paladins on Aug. 30, as she finished the match with a .556 hitting percentage, tallying five kills, one solo block and three block assists.
EARLY SEASON STANDOUTS
Herlehy is currently on top of the Big South Conference standings in blocks as she has amassed 29 (1.32 avg/s). Matilde Teixeira is currently leading the Bulldogs with 55 kills and is No. 9 in the Big South Conference in kills and in hitting percentage (.238). Ona Elkins is on the Big South leaderboard at No. 6 in aces (six) and No. 8 in assists with 78 (3.90 avg/s). As a team, the Bulldogs are currently ranked in the top half among Big South teams in blocks at No. 2 (51) and in aces at No. 3 (35).
Last week, the Bulldogs earned their first Big South weekly award since 2021 as Albertine van der Goot was named Big South Freshman of the Week. This was the first Freshman of the Week honoree for the program since 2018.
A LOOK AT THE CATAMOUNTS
Western Carolina is entering Tuesday's contest with a record of 1-5. The Catamounts have competed in two tournaments so far this season, going 0-3 in the Classic City Clash (Athens, Ga.) and 1-2 in the Clemson Invitational. Their lone win came against Green Bay in five sets.
DOGS vs. CATS
Tuesday is the 45th meeting between Asheville and Western in volleyball. The Bulldogs hold the series lead with a 25-19 record. The Bulldogs trail 8-10 in the series on the road, but hold an 11-7 record at home against the Catamounts. The last time the two teams met was in the Justice Center on Aug. 30, 2022, which saw the Catamounts win in three sets.
FOLLOW ALONG
Tuesday's game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+. Match updates can be found on volleyball's 𝕏 account, and live stats can be found here. For more information visit uncabulldogs.com.
