The Bulldogs will look to remain unbeaten in conference play on Friday night as they take on High Point. UNC Asheville (15-5, 4-0) enters the match having won eight of its last nine, and tied for first in the Big South with preseason favorite Liberty. The High Point Panthers (10-10, 0-4) have struggled early in their conference schedule, but will look to get back on track against the Bulldogs.
High Point was picked fourth in the Big South preseason poll, and turned in several quality non-conference wins, including victories over North Carolina State and Charlotte. Conference play has been less kind to the Panthers, who were defeated at home by Big South powers Winthrop and Coastal Carolina before falling in a pair of five-set battles on the road against Radford and Presbyterian. On Tuesday night, the Panthers found their way back into the win column, easily defeating North Carolina A&T. Despite its record, High Point enters the match with a Big South-leading opponents’ hitting percentage of .163 (UNC Asheville ranks second at .169). In juniors Megan Smith and Stephanie Wallin, the Panthers have two players in the top ten in the conference in kills. Junior libero Julie Hershkowitz is second in digs behind Asheville’s Raquel Miotto.
Asheville has reeled off an impressive streak of victories to open its conference slate, culminating with a 3-0 victory over Presbyterian on Tuesday night. The Bulldogs’ senior leadership has led the charge all season. Middle blocker Lauren Ficker ranks third in the Big South in hitting percentage and seventh in kills. Libero Raquel Miotto leads the conference in both digs and service aces. Asheville has grown even stronger with the return of junior outside hitter Kelsey Benorden. The preseason all-conference selection shone against Presbyterian, contributing 17 kills, 9 digs, and a .464 hitting percentage to the effort. In 2008, the Bulldogs split a pair of matches against the Panthers, with each taking five sets to decide. Friday night’s match gives Asheville a great opportunity to build momentum for its showdown with Liberty on Saturday.
Go Bulldogs!!
