Just one day after receiving some much-deserved recognition in the Big South year-end awards, the Bulldogs shone again on the court last night. UNC Asheville (25-9) cruised past hosting Radford in the quarterfinals of the Big South tournament 25-21, 25-19, 25-15. The victory sets up a semifinal showdown tonight against a Coastal Carolina squad that accounts for two of the Bulldogs’ three conference losses this season.
Three Bulldog players – Kelsey Benorden, Raquel Miotto, and Lauren Ficker – were named First Team All-Conference, UNC Asheville’s Julie Torbett was named Coach of the Year, and Bridgett Holiday was chosen for the All-Academic team by the Big South sports information directors on Wednesday. Benorden earned her second First Team selection after leading the conference in double-doubles, and ranking second in kills and ninth in digs. Miotto (who was the runner-up to Winthrop’s Kelley Taylor in Player of the Year voting) makes the team for the third time. She led the Big South in digs and aces per set, and this season became the Big South’s all-time career leader in digs. Ficker earned her first all-conference selection this season after leading the team in total kills and posting the second-highest single season attack percentage in UNC Asheville history. This is the second time Torbett, the Big South career leader in wins, has received Coach of the Year honors (the first came in 2002).
On Thursday night, the Bulldogs took to the court to defend their regular season championship in the Big South tournament. UNC Asheville took advantage of early runs in each of the three sets to achieve separation and remain in control throughout the match. Although the Bulldogs only hit .185, they were able to limit Radford to a meager .056. Benorden turned in her 19th double-double of the season, with 15 kills and 17 digs. Miotto posted 22 digs and one service ace – breaking Frida Sigurdardottir’s single-season school record set in 2002. Sophomore Cindi Miller was also in double figures with 10 kills.
Tonight’s semifinal matchup against Coastal Carolina will challenge the Bulldogs. In each contest against Coastal this season, UNC Asheville came out on the wrong side of a five-set battle. At the Justice Center on November 13th, the Bulldogs held a 2-0 advantage after the first two sets, but the Chanticleers stormed back, winning three straight for the victory. Early in the match, the Coastal attack centered on First Team All-Conference selection Chelsy Kimes, who finished the match with 22 kills, 10 digs and 4 blocks. The Chanticleers had much more success in the final two sets, however, when they were able to incorporate some diversity into their offense. Big South Scholar Athlete of the Year Jill Nyhof posted 15 kills (most in the final sets) to go with an incredible .667 attack percentage and 9 blocks. Fresham of the year Sierra Livesay also came on strong later in the match to finish with 16 kills and 19 digs. These teams know each other well after 10 sets during the regular season, so expect a close battle tonight.
If the Bulldogs are able to outlast Coastal Carolina tonight, they will face the winner of this afternoon’s semifinal between Liberty and Charleston Southern in the championship match on Saturday.
Go Dogs!!!
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