University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
9-2,0-0Big South
Norfolk State
2-6,0-0MEAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNC Asheville | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Norfolk St. | 15 | 17 | 19 | 0 |
Bulldogs Set Three-Set Service Ace Record in Sweep of Norfolk State
09.12.2026 | Women's Volleyball
WILMINGTON, N.C. – The UNC Asheville volleyball team closed out its time in Wilmington in record-breaking fashion Saturday, sweeping Norfolk State 3-0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-19) behind a new program record of 18 service aces in a three-set match.
With the victory, Asheville improves to 9-2 on the season and earns its sixth sweep of the year. The Bulldogs' 18 aces highlighted the afternoon, with Sarah Wadsworth matching the individual program record for service aces in a three-set match with eight. Lydia Pate added a career-high five aces as Asheville continued its dominance from the service line. The Bulldogs currently lead the nation with 117 total service aces this season. Asheville's 18 aces came on 73 service attempts, while Norfolk State finished with just three aces.
Wadsworth turned in an all-around performance, finishing with eight kills on 14 swings for a .357 hitting percentage to go along with her eight aces and a match-high 13 digs. Pate recorded four kills, five aces and three block assists, while Addie Brookbank joined Wadsworth with a team-high eight kills. Lily Bannister was efficient offensively, recording six kills without an error on eight attempts for a match-best .750 hitting percentage. Cadence Nichols added three kills on seven attempts without an error for a .429 clip.
Olivia Callipo led Asheville with 17 assists and added three service aces, while Elise Jensen dished out 11 assists. Nichols, Pate and Albertine van der Goot all had three block assists. The Bulldogs finished with 33 kills, 29 assists, 30 digs and six total blocks while holding Norfolk State to 21 kills and an .087 hitting percentage. Asheville hit .212 for the match.
Asheville established its presence from the service line immediately in the opening set. Wadsworth connected on two early aces to help the Bulldogs take a 4-1 advantage before Norfolk State drew even at 4-all. Asheville responded and eventually stretched its advantage to 10-5 following an ace from Callipo. Wadsworth later delivered back-to-back aces to give Asheville a 16-10 edge before Pate added two aces during a Bulldog run that pushed the lead to 20-12. Asheville never allowed the Spartans back into the frame, taking the opener 25-15.
The Bulldogs fell behind 4-1 to open the second set before working their way back and tying the score at six. A kill from Wadsworth, followed by an ace from Brookbank put the Bulldogs ahead 7-6 and Asheville did not allow Norfolk back in the lead for the rest of the second set. Asheville finished the second set with 11 kills and just four attack errors for a .233 hitting percentage, its best offensive clip of the match.
Asheville wasted little time taking control of the third. Wadsworth opened the frame with a kill before the Bulldogs raced out to a 7-0 advantage behind a pair of kills from Brookbank, another kill from Albertine van der Goot and two more Wadsworth aces. Pate then took over from the service line, delivering two aces as Asheville extended its lead to 11-2. Brookbank added an ace of her own to make it 14-7 as the Bulldogs maintained control of the frame. Asheville closed out the match with a 25-19 third-set victory to secure its sixth sweep of the season.
The victory concludes Asheville's time in Wilmington with the Bulldogs improving to 9-2 overall, marking the program's best 11-match start to a season since 1995.
Asheville is back in action at home on Tuesday, Sept. 15, as the Bulldogs host Western Carolina in the Justice Center at 6 p.m.
