University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Bulldogs Reclaim Ingles I-26 Rivalry Trophy
06.23.2026 | General
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville Athletics Department has reclaimed the Ingles I-26 Rivalry trophy, defeating Big South Conference rival USC Upstate by a final score of 39-21 during the 2025-26 competition.This marks Asheville's second title in the three-year history of the rivalry after capturing the inaugural crown in 2023-24 and reclaiming the trophy from USC Upstate, which won the competition in 2024-25.
The rivalry series, sponsored by Ingles, pits the Bulldogs and Spartans against one another throughout the academic year, awarding points based on head-to-head competition, conference championship finishes and community engagement initiatives.
"This rivalry has become a meaningful part of our athletics calendar, and we are proud to bring the trophy back to Asheville," said Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone. "Our student-athletes, coaches and staff represented UNC Asheville with tremendous pride throughout the year, and our community once again stepped up in a big way through the canned food drive. We are grateful to Ingles for their continued support of this special rivalry."
Asheville seized control of the competition during the fall season, earning victories in volleyball and sweeping both cross country championship matchups to build a 12-6 advantage heading into winter competition.
The Bulldogs then dominated the winter portion of the rivalry, sweeping both the men's and women's basketball season series against the Spartans while also claiming the canned food drive bonus points. Asheville's women's indoor track & field team added three points by finishing ahead of USC Upstate at the Big South Indoor Championships, helping the Bulldogs build a commanding 30-11 lead heading into the spring season.
USC Upstate narrowed the margin during baseball season by winning the first two games of the series in Spartanburg, but Asheville's 5-3 victory in the finale pushed the Bulldogs' lead to 33-17 and mathematically secured the rivalry trophy. Asheville later added points in women's golf and women's outdoor track & field en route to the 39-21 final margin.
Fall Season
9/20/25 – Men's Soccer: USC Upstate 4, Asheville 0 (Upstate leads 3-0)9/26/25 – Volleyball (at Asheville): Asheville 3, Upstate 2 (Tied 3-3)
10/29/25 – Women's Soccer: Upstate 3, Asheville 0 (Upstate leads 6-3)
10/31/25 – Women's Cross Country Championship: Asheville 2nd, Upstate 7th (Tied 6-6)
10/31/25 – Men's Cross Country Championship: Asheville 3rd, Upstate 5th (Asheville leads 9-6)
11/14/25 – Volleyball (at Upstate): Asheville 3, Upstate 0 (Asheville leads 12-6)
Winter Season
1/21/26 – Women's Basketball (at Asheville): Asheville 57, Upstate 56 (Asheville leads 15-6)1/21/26 – Men's Basketball (at Upstate): Asheville 83, Upstate 69 (Asheville leads 18-6)
2/4/26 – Men's Basketball (at Asheville): Asheville 76, Upstate 67 (Asheville leads 21-6)
2/14/26 – Women's Basketball (at Upstate): Asheville 63, Upstate 57 (Asheville leads 24-6)
2/27–28/26 – Women's Indoor Track & Field: Asheville 5th, Upstate 7th (Asheville Leads 27-6)
2/27–28/26 – Men's Indoor Track & Field: Upstate 3rd, Asheville 4th (Asheville Leads 27-9)
Bonus Points
Canned Food Drive: Asheville (3 pts) – (Asheville Leads 30-9)Men's Basketball 3-Point Total: Upstate (231-221) – (Asheville Leads 30-10)
Women's Basketball 3-Point Total: Upstate (199-160) – (Asheville Leads 30-11)
Spring Season
3/27/26 – Baseball (at Upstate): Upstate 11, Asheville 10 (Asheville Leads 30-14)3/28/26 – Baseball (at Upstate): Upstate 14, Asheville 1 (Asheville Leads 30-17)
3/29/26 – Baseball (at Upstate): Asheville 5, Upstate 3 (Leads 33-17)
4/19-22/26 - Women's Golf Championship: Asheville 2nd, Upstate 9th (Leads 36-17)
5/11-13/26 - Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championship: Asheville 5th, Upstate 6th (39-17)
5/11-13/26 - Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championship: Upstate 3rd, Asheville 5th (39-20)
Bonus Point: Season Total Strikeout: Upstate 475, Asheville 364 (39-21)
2025-26 Final: UNC Asheville 39, USC Upstate 21.
