University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
1-3,0-0Big South
West Georgia
0-4,0-0ASUN
Volleyball Splits Day One of Bulldog Invitational
09.05.2025 | Women's Volleyball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville volleyball team opened day one of the Bulldog Invitational on Friday (Sept. 5), and started the day with a three-set win over West Georgia before falling to ECU in four sets.
MATCH ONE- (25-14, 25-21, 26-24)
- Asheville dominated at the net with 10 total blocks. Baylor Herlehy had five block assists, and Avery Loeback had four. In the first set alone, the Bulldogs recorded six total blocks. A block from Herlehy and Kylie Cackovic helped Asheville to a 5-4 lead in set one.
- Asheville caught momentum about midway through the first set as the Bulldogs went on a 7-0 run to take a double-digit lead.
- The Bulldogs were poised to take set one following a kill from Albertine van der Goot to make the score 24-11 before West Georgia answered with three points. A block from Ana Djurovic and Loeback earned Asheville the winning set point.
- Asheville quickly worked out to a 5-2 lead in the second frame following a kill from Cackovic, a block from Djurovic and Loeback, and a kill from Loeback.
- West Georgia took its first lead of the second set nearly midway through (13-12), and extended their lead out to three before Asheville answered with the next three points.
- Down by two (18-16), a kill from Loeback sparked a 5-0 run to put Asheville ahead 21-18, and the Bulldogs went on to take a 2-0 match lead.
- Once again, Asheville took an early lead before West Georgia jumped ahead 14-13. Like the previous set, UWG took a 3-point lead before a kill from Cackovic sparked a 4-0 run (18-17).
- Asheville never allowed West Georgia back in the lead for the remainder of the set; however, West Georgia did not go down easily. Asheville was poised to win the match as the Bulldogs led 24-22 before the Wolves responded with the following two points. Asheville regrouped and answered with two points to win the match.
- Cackovic led the offense with 15 kills and finished with a .297 attack percentage.
- Michelle Thao finished with 20 digs.
- Payton Rolfsen and Selina Koc split setter duties, with Koc recording 17 assists and eight digs, and Rolfsen finished with 15 assists.
- Asheville finished with a .204 hitting percentage, and UWG finished with a -.10.
MATCH TWO- (22-25, 25-22, 16-25, 19-25)
- Asheville and ECU capped the night off with a four-set showdown as there were 20 ties and seven lead changes in the final game of the day.
- Freshman Addie Brookbank and Cackovic recorded the first double-doubles of the season, with Brookbank grabbing 13 kills and 12 digs and Cackovic finishing with a tied game-high 16 kills and 10 digs.
- Rolfsen had a season-high 25 assists and Koc had 11.
- Thao led the team with 19 digs. Asheville only had five team blocks while ECU had 10.
- There were four ties and two lead changes in the opening frame of Friday's nightcap game.
- It was back-and-forth to open the contest, with Asheville jumping ahead early (3-1) following a kill from van der Groot. ECU tied the set at four and moved into the lead, where they remained for the rest of the set.
- The Pirates jumped out to a 5-point lead, but a 7-2 run by Asheville tied the score at 21. ECU went on to close the opening frame on a 4-1 run to take a 1-0 match lead.
- The second set went back and forth, with ECU taking a 3-point lead after being tied at nine.
- Asheville responded by tying the score at 14 following an ace from Avery Schwieger. Asheville tied the score at 16 and moved into the lead, where the Bulldogs would remain for the rest of the set to even the match 1-1.
- In the third frame, a Bulldog service error would put the Pirates up 5-4, and ECU would remain in the lead for the rest of the set to take a 2-1 match lead.
- In the final frame, a kill from the Pirates' Ellie Pate put them ahead 7-6 and Asheville was unable to move back out in front.
UP NEXT
Asheville closes out its home tournament tomorrow as the Bulldogs face Furman at 1 p.m.
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.
