University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
2-2,0-0Big South
Western Carolina
1-6,0-0SoCon
Volleyball Wins in Four Sets Against Mountain Rivals
09.10.2024 | Women's Volleyball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville volleyball team hosted Western Carolina University on Tuesday evening for the Bulldogs' 2024 home opener and defeated the Catamounts in four sets (21-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-22).
Tuesday's win for Asheville marked the first time the Bulldogs have defeated the Catamounts in the Justice Center since 2018 and improved Asheville's overall record against WCU to 46-40.
DOGS ON DEFENSE
The Bulldogs tallied 10 total blocks, with Lydia Pate and Baylor Herlehy recording a solo block each, while Herlehy and Albertine van der Goot led the team with five block assists. Pate had three block assists, and Avery Loeback, Kylie Cackovic, and Matilde Teixeira contributed a block assist.
Michelle Thao continued her strong performance on the court, as she notched a career-high of 24 digs.
Matilde Teixeira and Kylie Cackovic had a solid defensive night with 15 and 12 digs, respectively. Payton Rolfsen and Riley Barr had eight and seven digs to help lead Asheville's defense.
DOGS ON OFFENSE
Herlehy had a standout night for the Bulldogs, leading the team with 11 kills and five service aces alongside her blocks. Herlehy's five aces tie for second in the record book for most aces in a four-set match.
Teixeira and Cackovic followed with eight kills apiece, and van der Goot and Loeback had seven each. Pate followed with six and led the team with a .556 attack percentage.
AS A TEAM
Asheville out-killed WCU 48-42 and recorded nine aces compared to Western's five. At the net, the Bulldogs tallied 10 blocks to Western's seven. The Bulldogs finished with a .157 attack percentage, compared to the Catamounts, who finished with a .126.
ON THE COURT
It was a back-and-forth contest to begin Tuesday's match, as the two teams were tied at 13 following a service ace from Herlehy. The Bulldogs would go on to take a two-point lead, following a kill from van der Goot and a block by Pate, but that would go on to be Asheville's final lead of the set, as Western responded with an 8-1 run and never looked back.
The momentum shifted in Asheville's favor in the second frame, as the Bulldogs jumped out to a 3-0 lead and led for the rest of the set. The second set was Asheville's best statistical set of the match, as the Bulldogs combined for a .226 attack percentage, recording 12 kills and five errors on 31 attempts. Asheville took advantage of five Western service errors in the second frame.
In the third set, Asheville held a 5-3 lead following a kill and service ace from Herlehy. Western responded with a 5-0 run to take the lead 8-5, but the Bulldogs answered with a 9-0 run to move back in the lead by six (14-8). In Asheville's run, the Bulldogs took advantage of four Western errors and two Riley Barr service aces. The Bulldogs held the lead for the remainder of the set to take a 2-1 match lead.
The Catamounts looked to claw their way back into the match as WCU opened the fourth set with a quick four-point lead (6-2). A kill from Pate helped give the Bulldogs a spark of momentum, as Asheville went on to cut Western's lead down to one with five kills. Loeback followed Pate's kill with one of her own before Teixeira sandwiched two kills in between another kill from Loeback. Western extended its lead back out to three before the Bulldogs went on a 4-0 run to take their first lead since the start of the set (13-12). The Cats responded with a 3-0 run before Asheville tied it up at 15 following a block from Herley and van der Goot. The rest of the set consisted of six more ties before Asheville scored the match's final three points to win.
UP NEXT
Asheville advances to 2-2 on the season with Tuesday's win.
The Bulldogs return to the court this weekend as Asheville travels to compete in the Maryland Eastern Shore Tournament. Asheville opens the tournament on Saturday, Sept. 14, as the Bulldogs face Iona at 10 a.m. and Hampton at 2 p.m.
On Sunday, the Bulldogs face Maryland Eastern Shore at 10 a.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.
