University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Asheville Volleyball hosts Bulldog Invitational
09.04.2025 | Women's Volleyball
TOURNAMENT DETAILS
- UNC Asheville vs. West Georgia
- Friday, Sept. 5
- 12 p.m.
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
- UNC Asheville vs. ECU
- Friday, Sept. 5
- 7 p.m.
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
- UNC Asheville vs. Furman
- Saturday, Sept. 6
- 1 p.m.
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
ASHEVILLE'S LAST TIME OUT
The Bulldogs opened their season last weekend at the Crimson Tide Invitational and went 0-3 against Alabama, UAB, and Jacksonville. Kylie Cackovic led the team with 28 kills on the weekend, averaging 3.11 per set. Michelle Thao led the team with five aces and 34 digs, averaging 3.78 per set. Selina Koç led the team with 46 assists, averaging 5.11 per set, and Albertine van der Goot led the team with nine total blocks.
A LOOK AT ASHEVILLE'S OPPONENTS
West Georgia opened its season 0-3 at the GSU Invitational this past weekend. Molly Brunell led the Wolves offensively with 25 kills. On defense, UWG totaled 15 blocks, with Sanai Young totaling nine. Olivia Kremer led UWG with 41 digs. Asheville is 0-1 against UWG, as the Bulldogs competed in West Georgia's home tournament last season.
The Paladins (2-1) also started their season last weekend at the GSU Invitational in Atlanta, Ga. Furman opened with wins over West Georgia (3-0) and Presbyterian (3-1) before dropping a 3-1 decision to tournament host Georgia State on Saturday. Tennyson Gorman led the Paladins with 34 kills, averaging 3.09 a set. Emily Navarro and Quinn Morrissey split setter duties, with Navarro finishing the tournament with 65 and Morrissey with 40. On defense, Kennedy Seekford led Furman with 59 digs, and Izzy Castelleo led the team with 14 total blocks. The Bulldogs are 4-10 against Furman. The teams had a home-and-home series in 2023 with Furman winning both contests.
ECU enters this weekend's tournament 3-0 after going undefeated at the Hampton Tournament, winning each match in three sets. As a team, ECU had 34 total aces on the weekend, putting them at No. 2 in the NCAA in aces per set after opening weekend. The Pirates were led in aces by Ellie Pate with 11. Pate also led the team in kills (33) and was second on the team with 22 digs. Elle Jackson led the team with 30 digs, and Kai Bailey led at the net with nine total blocks. Taryn Gilreath anchored the offense with 79 assists. Asheville is 2-2 against ECU, with the two teams' last match being in 2009.
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Following Asheville's match with West Georgia on Friday, West Georgia will face Furman at 5 p.m., Furman and ECU will face off at 2 p.m., and Asheville and ECU will cap off the evening at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, West Georgia will play ECU at 11 a.m. and Asheville will face Furman at 1 p.m.
All games will be available to watch on ESPN+.
Concessions will be available on Friday at the White Rabbit food truck outside the Justice Center entrance.
BULLDOGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Asheville's game against Alabama on Friday will be the only game streamed on ESPN+. 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.
