University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
5-11,2-1Big South
Presbyterian
4-11,0-3Big South
Bulldogs Rally Past Presbyterian in Four Sets for Senior Day Victory
10.04.2025 | Women's Volleyball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – After dropping the opening set, the UNC Asheville volleyball team (5–11, 2–1 Big South) rallied back to win the next three sets to defeat Presbyterian (4–11, 0–3 Big South) in the Justice Center on Saturday (Oct. 4).
Prior to Saturday's match, the volleyball team honored its 10 seniors: Avery Loeback, Payton Rolfsen, Michelle Thao, Kylie Cackovic, Baylor Herlehy, Katie Nichols, Sage Sutolovich, Kimerly Williams, and Selina Koc.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After Presbyterian took control early with a 25–17 win in the first, Asheville responded in set two to even the match 1-1. The Bulldogs built an early 6–1 lead and held off a late Blue Hose push to even the match with a 25-23 win. Kylie Cackovic subbed in after Presbyterian went on a 4-0 run to make the score 24-23, and scored the set-winning kill to even the match. Asheville carried that momentum into the third frame, rolling to a 25–15 win behind a .281 team hitting percentage while holding the Blue Hose to a .065.
The fourth set featured eight ties and four lead changes, with the final tie coming at 22. A kill from Albertine van der Goot broke the late match tie, and a block from Alison Goldberg put Asheville at match point. Presbyterian brought Asheville's lead back down to one before a kill from Cackovic helped Asheville to victory (25-23).
IN THE BOX
Cackovic led the way offensively with 13 kills while hitting .242, also adding seven digs. Addie Brookbank filled the stat sheet with eight kills, five service aces, and 16 digs for 13 total points, which matches Cackovic for most points. Van der Goot hit an efficient .296 with 10 kills and three blocks. In her second start of the season, Alison Goldberg recorded two solo blocks, five block assists, and seven kills. In her first match of the season, Cadence Nichols recorded three block assists, a solo block, and four kills. Avery Loeback also had four kills and tagged on five block assists.
Setters Payton Rolfsen and Selina Koc again ran a balanced offense, dishing out 24 and 20 assists, respectively. Libero Michelle Thao anchored the back row with a match-high 31 digs, helping Asheville outdig Presbyterian 83–78.
Asheville finished with 49 kills, seven aces, and 11 total blocks, holding Presbyterian to a .094 hitting clip for the match and just three total blocks.
The Bulldogs return to action next weekend with road trips to Gardner-Webb and Winthrop. Asheville will first stop in Boiling Springs to face the Runnin' Bulldogs on Friday (Oct. 10), at 6 p.m.
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