University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
11-6,5-4Big South
Presbyterian
7-17,3-8Big South
Team Effort Guides Asheville to Victory
11.02.2024 | Women's Volleyball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville volleyball team was back in action in the Justice Center on Saturday as the Bulldogs welcomed Presbyterian to town. The Bulldogs defeated the Blue Hose in four sets (25-20, 18-25, 25-19, 25-14).
With Asheville's two victories over Radford and now Presbyterian, this marks the first time since 2021 that Asheville has beaten two opponents twice in a season.
BLOCK PARTY
Kimberly Czepukaitis was a brick wall at the net today, recording four solo blocks and four block assists. Albertine van der Goot and Ana Djurovic had four block assists, Lydia Pate had three, and Avery Loeback had one. The Bulldogs combined for 16 block assists.
SEEING DOUBLE
Three Bulldogs recorded double-doubles as Payton Rolfsen led the way with 40 assists and 15 digs. Kylie Cackovic had kills and 13 digs, and Djurovic had 13 kills and 14 digs.
DOUBLE-FIGURES
Van der Goot helped lead Asheville in kills with 11. Michelle Thao led the defense with 16 digs, and Catherine Hubiak recorded 11.
ACE QUEENS
Asheville recorded nine aces, with Rolfsen and Djurovic leading the way with three each. Cackovic followed with two, and Megan Oppegard had one.
AS A TEAM
Asheville recorded 52 kills compared to Presbyterian's 42, with a hitting percentage of .194, while the Blue Hose had a .108. Asheville had five more aces, seven more blocks, 11 more assists, and five more digs than Presbyterian.
HOW IT WENT DOWN
Asheville got the first point of the set with an ace from Rolfsen, followed by a kill from Djurovic. Presbyterian tied the score at two, but Asheville responded with the following three points and held the lead for the rest of the set. The Bulldogs earned their largest lead of the set following a 5-0 run to put them ahead 18-10. The Blue Hose brought Asheville's lead back to three points with a kill from Courtney Williams (23-20), but a block from van der Goot and Pate and a kill from Cackovic secured the Bulldogs the opening set win.
It was a back-and-forth battle in the second frame, with 12 ties and four lead changes. Tied at 14, Asheville went on a 3-0 run, fueled by two kills and a service ace from Cackovic. The Blue Hose responded with three points to tie the score again. Asheville moved back into the lead with a kill from Czepukaitis, but that would be Asheville's last point, as Presbyterian closed the set on an 8-0 run to even the match 1-1.
The Bulldogs bounced back in the third frame after Presbyterian scored the first point of the set; Asheville went on to score the next four, sparked by a kill from van der Goot. Asheville's lead was shortlived as PC tied the set at five, and five more ties followed with the two teams locked up at 10. A service error from the Blue Hose was the spark Asheville needed, as the Bulldogs followed with an ace to jump ahead 12-10, and Asheville led the rest of the set to take a 2-1 match lead. Czepukaitis secured the final two points of the set with a solo block and a kill.
The fourth frame was all Bulldogs, as Asheville jumped out to a 6-1 lead, with Czepukaitis recording the first point of the set with a kill. The Bulldogs were able to extend their lead out to 10 points with a block from Czepukaitis and Djurovic (18-8), and the Blue Hose were unable to catch up as Asheville went on to win in four sets.
UP NEXT
With Saturday's win, the Bulldogs move to 11-6 and 5-4 in Big South play, the most conference wins since the 2020-21 season and the most overall wins since Asheville had 13 in 2019.
Asheville is back in the Justice Center on Tuesday, Nov. 5, as the Bulldogs host Winthrop at 6 p.m.
To stay updated with Asheville volleyball, follow the team on 𝕩.
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.
