University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
16-10,4-6Big South
Gardner-Webb
15-10,5-5Big South
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardner-Webb | 15 | 15 | 13 | 0 |
| UNC Asheville | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
10.30.2026 | Women's Volleyball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville volleyball team returned to the Justice Center in dominant fashion Friday evening, sweeping Gardner-Webb in straight sets (25-15, 25-15, 25-13) behind an impressive offensive performance.
The Bulldogs (16-10, 4-6 Big South) delivered one of their most efficient offensive outings of the season, hitting a remarkable .420 as a team while holding Gardner-Webb (15-10, 5-5 Big South) to a .058 hitting percentage.
Asheville's offense was firing on all cylinders, recording 48 kills against just six attacking errors across 100 attempts. The Bulldogs hit above .400 in all three sets, including a match-high .464 in the third frame, while doubling Gardner-Webb's kill total, 48-24.
ALBERTINE VAN DER GOOT LEADS THE ATTACK
Albertine van der Goot led the Bulldogs offensively with a match-high 13 kills on 25 attempts, committing just one error for an impressive .480 hitting percentage.
Addie Brookbank and Sarah Wadsworth followed with 11 kills apiece. Brookbank turned in a well-rounded performance, hitting .409 while adding three service aces, eight digs and three block assists. Wadsworth finished with a .310 hitting percentage and seven digs.
Cadence Nichols was nearly perfect offensively, recording five kills on six attempts without an error for a team-best .833 hitting percentage. Lily Bannister added five kills on a .364 clip, while Lydia Pate contributed three kills without an error.
Olivia Callipo directed the Bulldogs' offense with 24 assists and 12 digs for a double-double, while Riley Barr dished out 13 assists. Defensively, Izzy Perkins led Asheville with a match-high 18 digs and added seven assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set One | Asheville 25, Gardner-Webb 15
After Gardner-Webb claimed the opening point, Asheville quickly took control with a six-point scoring run behind Brookbank's serve to establish a 6-1 advantage. The early surge featured two service aces from Brookbank and kills from Wadsworth, Nichols and van der Goot.
The Bulldogs continued to build their lead, extending the advantage to 18-9 before closing out the opening frame, 25-15.
Asheville hit .400 in the first set, totaling 18 kills, with Wadsworth leading the way with six.
Set Two | Asheville 25, Gardner-Webb 15
The Bulldogs carried their momentum into the second frame, opening with a 2-0 advantage before Gardner-Webb battled to even the score at 3-3 and again at 6-6.
Asheville maintained control of the set, never allowing the Runnin' Bulldogs to take the lead. The home team continued its efficient offensive showing, recording 16 kills against just one attack error on 37 attempts for a .405 hitting percentage.
The Bulldogs secured another 25-15 victory to take a commanding 2-0 match lead.
Set Three | Asheville 25, Gardner-Webb 13
Asheville saved its most efficient offensive performance for the final frame, hitting .464 with 14 kills and just one attack error.
The Bulldogs' defensive pressure also reached its peak in the third set, holding Gardner-Webb to a negative hitting percentage (-.067) with seven kills and nine attacking errors.
Asheville closed out the frame, 25-13, to complete the straight-set sweep and secure its 16th victory of the season.
BY THE NUMBERS
- .420: Asheville's team hitting percentage, compared to Gardner-Webb's .058.
- 48: Total kills for the Bulldogs, doubling Gardner-Webb's 24.
- 6: Asheville's total attacking errors across 100 attempts.
- 13: Match-high kills from Albertine van der Goot.
- 18: Match-high digs from Izzy Perkins.
- 24: Assists from Olivia Callipo, who also recorded 12 digs.
- 6: Total team blocks for Asheville, compared to Gardner-Webb's one.
- 4: Service aces for Asheville, including three from Addie Brookbank.
UP NEXT
Asheville is back in action tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 31, as the Bulldogs take on Winthrop at 4 p.m. from the Justice Center. Prior to the match, there will be a trick-or-treat event from 3-4 p.m. featuring several of our UNC Asheville Athletic teams.
