University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
USC Upstate
TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: No. 4 Asheville takes on No. 5 USC Upstate
11.20.2025 | Women's Volleyball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville volleyball team will travel to High Point University on Friday (Nov. 21) to compete in the First Round of the Big South Conference Tournament, with the Bulldogs taking on the Spartans of USC Upstate.
MATCH DETAILS
- No. 4 UNC Asheville vs. No. 5 USC Upstate
- Friday, November 21, 2025
- 3:00 PM
- High Point, N.C. || Millis Center
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
- History
SEASON OVERVIEW
Asheville enters the Big South Conference Tournament after going 7-7 in Big South play, with the Bulldogs' final win of the regular season being a sweep at USC Upstate this past Friday. With Friday's win, Asheville secured the No. 4 seed in the Big South Tournament, marking Asheville's highest regular-season finish since 2018.
END OF YEAR AWARDS
On Wednesday (Nov. 19), the Big South Conference announced its All-Conference teams, and Michelle Thao was named Co-Libero of the Year and also earned First Team All-Conference honors. This marks the first time in program history that a player from Asheville has received the Libero of the Year award, and the first major individual on-court award in the program since 2000.
Thao's 2025 season highlights: she played all 27 matches (99 sets), recorded 484 digs (about 4.89 per set), 24 aces, and a .955 reception percentage over 514 receptions. She ranks No. 18 nationally in digs per set and No. 31 in total digs.
Two other Bulldogs received honors: Kylie Cackovic (Honorable Mention All-Conference) and Albertine van der Goot (Honorable Mention All-Conference and Academic All-Conference). With three honored players, this is the most All-Conference recognitions for the volleyball program since 2018.
A LOOK AT THE SPARTANS
USC Upstate also finished the season 7-7, but Asheville defeated the Spartans in both matches to earn the seeding tiebreaker. Upstate's Kamyla Vega David earned Setter of the Year along with First Team honors, and Ady O'Grady also earned First Team honors. Summer Kohler earned Second Team honors, Kensley Haneline and Sophia Overholt earned Honorable Mention honors, and Kohler, Haneline, and Overholt earned All-Freshman honors.
STAT COMPARISON
| 2025-26 Season | Asheville | Upstate |
| Kills | 1186 | 1353 |
| Errors | 528 | 554 |
| Attempts | 3663 | 3849 |
| Percent | .180 | .208 |
| Assists | 1083 | 1258 |
| BHE | 9 | 2 |
| Aces | 156 | 173 |
| Errors | 265 | 208 |
| Reception Errors | 152 | 166 |
| Digs | 1520 | 1637 |
| Solo Blocks | 52 | 43 |
| Block Assists | 342 | 270 |
| Blocking Errors | 68 | 41 |
| Total Blocks | 223.0 | 178.0 |
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.
