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.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Men's Soccer Preview: Catawba
Men’s Soccer action gets underway on Monday as the Bulldogs face off against the Catawba Indians in an exhibition match at Greenwood Field. It will be our first chance to get a look at the 2009 side, which has undergone big changes in the offseason. Although five of the top six scorers from a year ago have graduated, the Bulldogs are loaded with underclassman talent. Leading the charge will be sophomore goalkeeper Lassi Hurskainen, who allowed more than two goals in only one match last season, and delivered a shutout against Conference USA power Kentucky. On the offensive end, keep an eye on sophomore Bryan George, the Bulldogs highest returning scorer.
Catawba is also in the midst of a transition, with Liam Farrell arriving from Appalachian State to take over as the new head coach. Alex Koslick, the Indians leading scorer last year, has transferred to UNC Asheville and will be facing off against his old school in the match. Senior forward Andrew Landry and sophomore midfielder Kevin Sorensen, the top two returning scorers for Catawba, will be dangerous. Catawba turned in a disappointing 4-14 record last year to finish 7th in the South Atlantic Conference. The SAC poll has them finishing 7th again this year.
The Bulldogs finished 6th in the Big South with a record of 7-8-4 a year ago, and are projected to finish 7th this year in the conference’s preseason poll. However, 18th year head coach Steve Cornish and the Bulldogs expect to finish much higher. UNC Asheville lost only one match by more than a goal last year, despite a non-conference slate that included a number of major conference opponents. The young Bulldogs might be unproven - other than senior Edwin Wortorsi, whose eligibility is uncertain, every player on the roster is either a freshman or sophomore - but they have the talent to accomplish great things this season.
The match starts at 4pm on Monday - make sure you come out to support the team!
Bryan George
Lassi Hurskainen
Go Dogs!
Catawba is also in the midst of a transition, with Liam Farrell arriving from Appalachian State to take over as the new head coach. Alex Koslick, the Indians leading scorer last year, has transferred to UNC Asheville and will be facing off against his old school in the match. Senior forward Andrew Landry and sophomore midfielder Kevin Sorensen, the top two returning scorers for Catawba, will be dangerous. Catawba turned in a disappointing 4-14 record last year to finish 7th in the South Atlantic Conference. The SAC poll has them finishing 7th again this year.
The Bulldogs finished 6th in the Big South with a record of 7-8-4 a year ago, and are projected to finish 7th this year in the conference’s preseason poll. However, 18th year head coach Steve Cornish and the Bulldogs expect to finish much higher. UNC Asheville lost only one match by more than a goal last year, despite a non-conference slate that included a number of major conference opponents. The young Bulldogs might be unproven - other than senior Edwin Wortorsi, whose eligibility is uncertain, every player on the roster is either a freshman or sophomore - but they have the talent to accomplish great things this season.
The match starts at 4pm on Monday - make sure you come out to support the team!
Bryan George
Lassi HurskainenWednesday, August 19, 2009
First Bulldog Games A Success
The school year began a day early for our UNC Asheville student-athletes, as they assembled on Sunday evening to hear Chancellor Ponder speak about sportsmanship and ethical conduct at the annual Welcome Back gathering. The event, which was attended by everyone from academic advisors to announcers, is a requirement of both the Big South and NCAA, but also an important opportunity for incoming and returning student-athletes to get to know one another and their support staff.
This year, some innovations were introduced to provide fun and levity for the Bulldogs, as well as the other attendees. The night was kicked off before the Chancellor’s speech, when all incoming freshmen participated in a skit about the university’s expectations for them as student-athletes. Afterwards, all the athletes were placed on teams for the inaugural Bulldog Games, an event that featured five different competitions, ranging from a dizzy bat race to a scrabble relay. Each team included a mixture of participants from all different sports and grade-levels, which helped to build stronger bonds within the student-athlete community. The Games were made possible by the dedication of more than twenty faculty, staff, and community volunteers who helped out (the cookies from the Biltmore Doubletree were also appreciated). Compliance Director Terri Brne says the event was well received by student-athletes and other participants alike, and she anticipates its continued success in the years to come. For pictures of the festivities, check out the link below:
http://tinyurl.com/nl8qot
This year, some innovations were introduced to provide fun and levity for the Bulldogs, as well as the other attendees. The night was kicked off before the Chancellor’s speech, when all incoming freshmen participated in a skit about the university’s expectations for them as student-athletes. Afterwards, all the athletes were placed on teams for the inaugural Bulldog Games, an event that featured five different competitions, ranging from a dizzy bat race to a scrabble relay. Each team included a mixture of participants from all different sports and grade-levels, which helped to build stronger bonds within the student-athlete community. The Games were made possible by the dedication of more than twenty faculty, staff, and community volunteers who helped out (the cookies from the Biltmore Doubletree were also appreciated). Compliance Director Terri Brne says the event was well received by student-athletes and other participants alike, and she anticipates its continued success in the years to come. For pictures of the festivities, check out the link below:
http://tinyurl.com/nl8qot
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Women's Soccer Off to a Great Start
Good Afternoon Asheville Fans!
Since I’ll be writing most of the Bulldog Blog posts during the upcoming year, I want to start out by introducing myself. My name is Jonathan Keeney, and I’m an Asheville native interning in the UNC Asheville athletic department. Although I spent my college years at that other UNC school, I have fond memories of games at the Justice Center as a kid, and I’m excited to spend the year working with and supporting the Bulldogs.
I wrapped up my first day yesterday by catching the second half of the women’s soccer exhibition match against the Eagles of Carson-Newman University. The Bulldogs looked prepared for the new season with a convincing 2-0 victory. Coach Cornish noted on her Facebook page that the Bulldogs generated several good scoring opportunities and the margin of victory could easily have been greater. She also applauded the defensive line for their solid effort in preserving the shutout. Carson-Newman was no small hurdle for the Bulldogs. They enter the season ranked 13th in the nation in Division II, and are the unanimous favorite to win the South Atlantic Conference title. The victory should prepare the Bulldogs well for their season-opening match against ACC heavyweight Clemson on August 28th at Greenwood Field.
It is my plan to update the Bulldog Blog on a daily basis throughout the year, and to ensure that it is a place where Asheville fans can always find new content about their favorite teams. My work with the department promises lots of variety, but I do know that I will be in regular attendance at the soccer, volleyball, and basketball matches this fall. My first priority will be sports-related content - game previews, recaps, and hopefully some interviews and insider information. However, when there is a break in the action, I’ll provide some insight into all that goes on here in the Athletic Department as well. Because my goal is to provide Bulldog fans with a useful and entertaining source of sports information, I am especially interested in making the Bulldog Blog as interactive as possible. In addition to our Ask the Athletic Director feature (in which I strongly encourage you to participate), please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or comments you might have - for myself, or for anyone else involved in UNC Asheville athletics. I will struggle valiantly to have your questions answered, and I hope to have a regular mailbag or question and answer feature as a part of the blog.
Go Bulldogs!
Since I’ll be writing most of the Bulldog Blog posts during the upcoming year, I want to start out by introducing myself. My name is Jonathan Keeney, and I’m an Asheville native interning in the UNC Asheville athletic department. Although I spent my college years at that other UNC school, I have fond memories of games at the Justice Center as a kid, and I’m excited to spend the year working with and supporting the Bulldogs.
I wrapped up my first day yesterday by catching the second half of the women’s soccer exhibition match against the Eagles of Carson-Newman University. The Bulldogs looked prepared for the new season with a convincing 2-0 victory. Coach Cornish noted on her Facebook page that the Bulldogs generated several good scoring opportunities and the margin of victory could easily have been greater. She also applauded the defensive line for their solid effort in preserving the shutout. Carson-Newman was no small hurdle for the Bulldogs. They enter the season ranked 13th in the nation in Division II, and are the unanimous favorite to win the South Atlantic Conference title. The victory should prepare the Bulldogs well for their season-opening match against ACC heavyweight Clemson on August 28th at Greenwood Field.
It is my plan to update the Bulldog Blog on a daily basis throughout the year, and to ensure that it is a place where Asheville fans can always find new content about their favorite teams. My work with the department promises lots of variety, but I do know that I will be in regular attendance at the soccer, volleyball, and basketball matches this fall. My first priority will be sports-related content - game previews, recaps, and hopefully some interviews and insider information. However, when there is a break in the action, I’ll provide some insight into all that goes on here in the Athletic Department as well. Because my goal is to provide Bulldog fans with a useful and entertaining source of sports information, I am especially interested in making the Bulldog Blog as interactive as possible. In addition to our Ask the Athletic Director feature (in which I strongly encourage you to participate), please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or comments you might have - for myself, or for anyone else involved in UNC Asheville athletics. I will struggle valiantly to have your questions answered, and I hope to have a regular mailbag or question and answer feature as a part of the blog.
Go Bulldogs!
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