University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics

Volleyball Midseason Update
10.31.2024 | Women's Volleyball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Following Tuesday's Big South Conference match, the UNC Asheville volleyball team has completed half of its 2024 conference season and sits at 3-4 and fifth in league standings.
A LOOK AT THE UPCOMING SCHEDULE
With the completion of October volleyball, the Bulldogs have seven games in November, with two games being rescheduled to November due to Helene.
Nov. 1 Charleston Southern 6 PMNov. 2 Presbyterian 2 PM
Nov. 5 Winthrop 6 PM
Nov. 8 at Gardner-Webb 6 PM
Nov. 9 at Winthrop 5 PM
Nov. 12 at USC Upstate 6 PM
Nov. 16 USC Upstate 2 PM
The Bulldogs will be playing four of their remaining matches in the Justice Center on the campus of UNC Asheville.
A NOTE TO FANS ATTENDING UPCOMING HOME EVENTS
We are excited to welcome fans to the Justice Center to support our volleyball team for the remainder of their home games! As we continue to navigate the ongoing status of water in the Asheville area, porta johns will be available for fans to use, as bathrooms in the building will not be available. The porta johns will be located in the Student Recreation Plaza.
White Rabbit Concessions will be available for all November home matches.
KEEPING UP WITH THE BULLDOGS
Despite all the challenges off the court this season, the UNC Asheville volleyball team's 9-6 record marks its most wins since 2019.
Kylie Cackovic, the reigning Big South Conference Co-Player of the Week, leads the Bulldogs with 192 kills, averaging 3.20 a set. Her kills thus far this season surpass the amount of kills she had last season, as she finished 2023 with 188 kills. Against Radford this past Saturday, Kylie had a career-high 19 kills, 22.5 points, and four aces. She leads the team with seven double-doubles. Cackovic's Player of the Week honor marks Asheville's first Player of the Week recipient since 2021.
Payton Rolfsen is leading Asheville in assists, accumulating 356 and averaging 5.93 a set. She had an Asheville career-high 42 assists against Charleston Southern on Oct. 19 and a career-high 16 digs against Gardner-Webb last night (Oct. 29). She's had four double-doubles this season.
Leading the Bulldogs on defense and in aces is Michelle Thao. Thao has 265 digs and is averaging 4.42 a set. Thao leads the league with 28 aces (0.47 per set). Leading the Bulldogs at the net in blocks is Albertine van der Goot with 47.0.
As a team, the Bulldogs lead the league in opponent hitting percentage (.168), opponent assists (9.88), opponent kills (11.07), and service aces (1.63 avg./s).
CONFERENCE STANDINGS
Asheville currently sits fifth at 3-4 in the league standings. The Bulldogs are ahead of Charleston Southern (3-6), Gardner-Webb (2-7), and Presbyterian (2-7). Asheville has already faced High Point and Radford twice, going 0-2 against High Point, which sits at the top of the league at 9-0, and 2-0 against Radford, which sits in fourth at 4-5.
This weekend's matches will mark the second time Asheville has faced Charleston Southern and Presbyterian. In the first match, Asheville defeated PC in three sets but lost in five sets to CSU in their last meeting.
The Bulldogs lost in five sets to GWU earlier this week and will face the Runnin' Bulldogs again on Nov. 8. Asheville has yet to play Winthrop, who is second in the league, or USC Upstate, who is third.
STAY CAUGHT UP
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