University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
8-3,2-1Big South
Presbyterian
5-14,1-5Big South
Bulldogs Complete Sweep with Third-Set Thriller
10.18.2024 | Women's Volleyball
CLINTON, S.C. – The UNC Asheville volleyball team entered Friday night's third set with a 2-0 lead over Presbyterian but found their backs against the wall late in the third frame. Trailing 22-18, Asheville fought back, tying the score six times and scoring the last three points of the match to win the final set 32-30 and earn the sweep.
IN THE BOX
The Bulldogs out-attacked the Blue Hose as Asheville recorded 50 kills and Presbyterian recorded 39. As a team, Asheville had six aces and seven total blocks.
Asheville recorded 145 total attempts, the most in a 3-set match in program history, and 47 assists, the second most in program history.
Matilde Teixeira led the team with 12 kills and finished the night with a career-high .550 attack percentage, as she only made one error in 20 attempts. She recorded a double-double with 12 digs.
Kylie Cackovic followed with 11 kills and 12 digs, and Michelle Thao recorded 12 digs. Payton Rolfsen led the team with 28 assists, and Kat Davis had 12.
Kimberly Czepukaitis, Lydia Pate, and Albertine van der Goot led the team with three block assists each.
ON THE COURT
In the opening frame, the Bulldogs and Blue Hose were tied at seven before Asheville went on a 9-2 run to take the lead 16-9. This was as large a lead as Asheville would get, as PC fought back, bringing the set back within two (17-15). The Bulldogs followed by scoring the next three points to extend their lead back out to five, and the Blue Hose were unable to catch up, as Asheville took the opening set 25-20.
In the second frame, the Bulldogs trailed 3-1 before going on an 8-1 and taking the lead. Presbyterian battled back, bringing the score within one point twice, but the Bulldogs held their lead and won the second frame 25-22.
A kill from Czepukaitis helped give the Bulldogs the early lead in the final frame, but Asheville's lead would not withhold, as the Blue Hose followed with an 8-1 run to jump ahead 11-5. An attack error from PC helped the Bulldogs complete a 7-0 run to the set at 12, but the Blue Hose responded by scoring the following three points. The Blue Hose were poised to send the match into a fourth set as they led 22-18, but a four-point surge by the Bulldogs tied the set at 22. There went on to be nine ties and three lead changes in the match's final minutes. With Asheville trailing 30-29, a kill from Rolfsen tied the set, and a kill from Teixeira and an ace from Rolfsen helped the Bulldogs earn the three-set sweep.
UP NEXT
Asheville's record extends to 8-3, and the Bulldogs move to 2-1 in Big South action.
The Bulldogs are back in action tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 19, as they travel to face Charleston Southern at 1 p.m.
To stay updated with Asheville volleyball, follow the team on 𝕩.
About Women's Athletics Presenting Partner First Bank
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