University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
3-9,0-0Big South
North Carolina A&T
4-5,0-0CAA
Bulldogs Drop Doubleheader in Battle of North Carolina
09.20.2025 | Women's Volleyball
GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNC Asheville volleyball put together two hard-fought performances on Saturday (Sept. 20) at the Fleming Gymnasium, taking on North Carolina A&T in a neutral-site contest before facing UNC Greensboro in the evening. The Bulldogs fell in four sets to the Aggies and later dropped a five-set thriller against the Spartans.
MATCH ONE | N.C. A&T 3, UNC Asheville 1 (24-26, 20-25, 25-23, 22-25)
Asheville opened the day in a tight matchup with North Carolina A&T, rallying late to claim the third set but ultimately coming up short in four.
The first two sets were back-and-forth with 10 ties in each set, five lead changes in the first and four in the second. A kill from Ana Djurovic tied the score at 24 in the opening frame, but the Aggies recorded back-to-back points to take a 1-0 match lead.
In the second frame, the score was tied at 16 following a kill from Kylie Cackovic, but A&T answered with the next three points and led for the rest of the set.
Asheville avoided the sweep with a third-set victory, with the Bulldogs never allowing the Aggies to take the lead. A kill from Loeback put the Bulldogs ahead to start the set, and Asheville never looked back.
In the final frame, Asheville scored the first point of the set, but A&T answered with the next four points, and the Aggies never allowed Asheville back ahead.
Despite the loss, Ana Djurovic had a phenomenal outing with a career high 17 kills while adding 18 digs for a strong double-double performance. Albertine van der Goot followed with seven kills and four block assists, and Kylie Cackovic recorded six kills. Avery Loeback was efficient at the net, posting five kills on a .625 hitting clip and chipping in a solo block and four block assists. Selina Koç directed the offense with 19 assists, adding four digs, and Payton Rolfsen followed with 12 assists and contributed four kills of her own.
Defensively, Michelle Thao collected 11 digs and two service aces, while Baylor Herlehy recorded seven block assists.
MATCH TWO | UNC Greensboro 3, UNC Asheville 2 (22-25, 15-25, 25-22, 25-23, 15-12)
In the nightcap, the Bulldogs came out strong, winning the first two sets before the Spartans stormed back to edge Asheville in five.
Asheville came out aggressive, never allowing UNCG in the lead, and carried the momentum over to the second frame with Asheville earning a commanding 25-15 set victory. UNCG avoided the sweep and never allowed the Bulldogs to lead in the third set. It was a back-and-forth battle in the fourth frame with a kill from Cackovic tying the score at 23. The Spartans would answer with the final two points of the set to even the match 2-2.
In the deciding set, Asheville took an early 5-3 lead before UNCG responded with the next four points. Asheville went on to tie the score at nine and 11, but the Bulldogs were unable to move into the lead, and the Spartans went on to take the fifth set victory.
Djurovic once again had a standout performance with 15 kills, a career-high seven service aces, and 13 digs for a match-high 22 points. Cackovic finished with a game-high 18 kills and six digs, while Herlehy was dominant at the net with 13 kills, one solo, and seven block assists.
Setter duo Rolfsen and Koc combined for 53 assists, with Rolfsen recording 29 and Koc with 24. Thao anchored the defense with a team-high 34 digs, and van der Goot added a solo block and six block assists.
UP NEXT
Asheville will now turn its attention to Big South Conference play. The Bulldogs open league action at home against USC Upstate on Friday, Sept. 26, at 6 p.m.
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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.
