Blue/White Scrimmage Tuesday Night

This Tuesday is a big night for volleyball, as the Justice Center hosts the annual Blue/White scrimmage starting at 7 p.m. The match will begin with two games between the UNC Asheville players, followed by a third game in which members of the student body will have the chance to square off against the Bulldogs. This is always an entertaining display and, because the challengers are chosen from the audience, a unique opportunity to witness the Bulldogs’ skill first-hand. Asheville finished last season with an 18-14 record, falling to eventual champion Liberty in the Big South conference semifinals. The Bulldogs should be even stronger this year - they return all but one starter, and bring in a promising crop of freshmen. The level of experience and leadership will be very high with eight upperclassmen on the squad, including five seniors. The preseason poll has UNC Asheville finishing 3rd this year, but the Bulldogs expect to contend for the conference title. Libero Raquel Miotto is on record-setting pace entering her final year with the Bulldogs. The senior is on the verge of eclipsing the 2,000 career digs mark. She looks certain to become the Big South’s all-time leader in digs, and has a great chance to crack the top 5 in NCAA history. Miotto has already been named first team All Big South twice in her stellar career, and was recently named to the 2009 preseason all-conference team. Junior outside hitter Kelsey Benorden is coming off a season in which she received first team all-conference honors and made the Big South All-Tournament team. One of the conference’s best attackers, she is poised to reach both the 1,000 career kill and 1,000 career dig milestones this season. Also selected to the preseason all-conference team, Benorden will be a Player of the Year candidate in the Big South this season. This will be Coach Julie Torbett’s 16th year with UNC Asheville. Come to the Justice Center on Tuesday night to watch the Bulldogs - or face off against them.