While women’s soccer is at home this weekend for a pivotal two game set, volleyball and men’s soccer are both out of town for conference showdowns of their own. Volleyball travels to South Carolina to face two of the Big South’s best, Winthrop and Coastal Carolina, while men’s soccer heads north to square off against VMI.
For the second straight match, first place in the Big South will be on the line for the Bulldogs (17-5, 6-0) when they battle Winthrop (13-6, 5-1) this evening. The Eagles have won five straight since dropping their conference opener to Liberty in five sets. Winthrop has posted both the highest hitting percentage and the lowest opponents’ hitting percentage in conference play this far. Junior Kaley Viola has been outstanding – she leads the conference in kills, and ranks seventh in hitting percentage and ninth in digs. Senior Kelley Taylor and freshman Baylee Stachan are also among the top ten in hitting, junior Kelsey Hall leads the league in assists, and junior libero Ginnie Talley is fourth in digs.
The Bulldogs will be challenged again on Saturday afternoon by Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers (10-9, 4-2) are fourth in the Big South and have won two straight, their only conference losses coming against Winthrop and Liberty. The Chanticleer attack is led by juniors Chelsy Kimes (second in the Big South in kills) and Megan Bickford (third in hitting percentage). Senior Jill Nyhof leads the conference in blocks, and senior Megan Pollard ranks third in digs. A strong showing this weekend would give UNC Asheville some much-needed breathing room atop the conference standings.
Men’s soccer will travel to Lexington, Virginia, to face VMI on Saturday morning. The Keydets (2-8-1, 1-1-0) are coming off their first conference victory of the season, a 2-0 home win over Gardner-Webb on Wednesday afternoon. The Bulldogs also collected their first Big South win in their last outing, defeating Radford on Saturday. The Keydets rank near the bottom of the league in most offensive categories, but have been kept in games by junior goalkeeper Brian Sowell, who ranks first in saves per game and third in save percentage. Junior Brian Harding is the leading scorer, with five points on the year. The match gives the Bulldogs a great chance to pick up another conference win on their current four-game away stand.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Women's Soccer Preview: Charleston Southern
The Bulldogs are in for a challenge tomorrow afternoon as they host the offensive juggernaut that is Charleston Southern. UNC Asheville (4-5-1, 1-2-0) is coming off its first win conference win of the season last Saturday, a 3-0 romp over Presbyterian. The Buccaneers (9-4-1, 2-1-1) boast the best overall record in the Big South and have overwhelmed opponents all season long with a relentless attack.
Charleston Southern’s 25.43 shots per game total is more than twice that of the next closest team in the conference. The Buccaneers also lead the Big South in corners (5.57), goals (2.93), and assists (2.86) per match. Junior Marky Boyce leads the conference in both goals (8) and assists (7), while senior Sarah Catenacci and junior Caitlin Wesnesky are tied for second in the league with 17 points each. Add junior Michelle Dennis (15 points), senior Jen Vroman (12), and freshman Morgann Wood (12) to the mix, and CSU has six of the conference’s top ten scorers on its roster. It is worth noting that UNC Asheville has played four fewer games than the Buccaneers; however, all six players also rank in the top ten in points per game (with Boyce, Catenacci, Wesnesky, and Dennis occupying first through fourth in the category). The statistics are inflated somewhat by a 14-0 dismantling of Alabama State in the first week of the season (a match that was abandoned in the 71st minute), but the Buccaneers’ attack has been consistently lethal. The fireworks on offense have enabled CSU to get by with a middling performance on the defensive end. Junior goalkeeper Alyssa Budros ranks near the bottom of the conference in goals against average (1.42) and save percentage (.656) despite the immense ball control advantage CSU has enjoyed. The Buccaneers’ sole shutout came in their most recent outing, a 3-0 defeat of VMI behind goals from Wesnesky, Lindsey Trexler, and Rebecca Hollstegge.
UNC Asheville counters with the Big South’s best defense. The Bulldogs have the lowest team goals against average in the conference at 0.88. Senior goalkeeper Veronica Lazar, who has taken over full-time duties in the net, leads the Big South in goals against average (0.85) and ranks second in save percentage (.848). Despite the outstanding percentage, Lazar is only eighth in the league in saves per game, a testament to a stout defensive line anchored by seniors Meagan Bradham and Keri Skelton. Offensively, the Bulldogs have benefited from the breakout performance of freshman Chloe McCleary-Small, whose nine points lead the team and are ninth best in the conference. Bradham is second on the team with six points, while senior McKenna Stockhausen and junior Katy Beeler have three points each. Asheville’s performance on Saturday, in which McCleary-Small, Bradham, and Beeler each scored (and Stockhausen tallied her first assist of the year), was a welcome sight as it end a three-game scoring drought for the Bulldogs. To defeat Charleston Southern, Asheville will need to have similar success in generating opportunities on the offensive end.
The match kicks off at 4pm tomorrow at beautiful Greenwood Field. Admission is free, so come out and support the Bulldogs in this critical conference match!
Charleston Southern’s 25.43 shots per game total is more than twice that of the next closest team in the conference. The Buccaneers also lead the Big South in corners (5.57), goals (2.93), and assists (2.86) per match. Junior Marky Boyce leads the conference in both goals (8) and assists (7), while senior Sarah Catenacci and junior Caitlin Wesnesky are tied for second in the league with 17 points each. Add junior Michelle Dennis (15 points), senior Jen Vroman (12), and freshman Morgann Wood (12) to the mix, and CSU has six of the conference’s top ten scorers on its roster. It is worth noting that UNC Asheville has played four fewer games than the Buccaneers; however, all six players also rank in the top ten in points per game (with Boyce, Catenacci, Wesnesky, and Dennis occupying first through fourth in the category). The statistics are inflated somewhat by a 14-0 dismantling of Alabama State in the first week of the season (a match that was abandoned in the 71st minute), but the Buccaneers’ attack has been consistently lethal. The fireworks on offense have enabled CSU to get by with a middling performance on the defensive end. Junior goalkeeper Alyssa Budros ranks near the bottom of the conference in goals against average (1.42) and save percentage (.656) despite the immense ball control advantage CSU has enjoyed. The Buccaneers’ sole shutout came in their most recent outing, a 3-0 defeat of VMI behind goals from Wesnesky, Lindsey Trexler, and Rebecca Hollstegge.
UNC Asheville counters with the Big South’s best defense. The Bulldogs have the lowest team goals against average in the conference at 0.88. Senior goalkeeper Veronica Lazar, who has taken over full-time duties in the net, leads the Big South in goals against average (0.85) and ranks second in save percentage (.848). Despite the outstanding percentage, Lazar is only eighth in the league in saves per game, a testament to a stout defensive line anchored by seniors Meagan Bradham and Keri Skelton. Offensively, the Bulldogs have benefited from the breakout performance of freshman Chloe McCleary-Small, whose nine points lead the team and are ninth best in the conference. Bradham is second on the team with six points, while senior McKenna Stockhausen and junior Katy Beeler have three points each. Asheville’s performance on Saturday, in which McCleary-Small, Bradham, and Beeler each scored (and Stockhausen tallied her first assist of the year), was a welcome sight as it end a three-game scoring drought for the Bulldogs. To defeat Charleston Southern, Asheville will need to have similar success in generating opportunities on the offensive end.
The match kicks off at 4pm tomorrow at beautiful Greenwood Field. Admission is free, so come out and support the Bulldogs in this critical conference match!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Men's Basketball Picked 2nd in Big South
At the Big South Conference Media Day yesterday, voters confirmed just how dangerous UNC Asheville could be this season, picking the Bulldogs to finish second in the conference behind defending regular season and tournament champion Radford. Asheville turned in a 10-8 conference record (15-16 overall) last season to finish fourth in the Big South, and fell to Radford, 94-86, in the conference semifinals.
The Bulldogs lose forwards Reid Augst and Jason Ridenhour, the only two players to start every game last season, to graduation. Augst led the team in scoring with 15.4 points per game and was second in rebounding. Although these departures leave a void in the Asheville frontcourt, the Bulldogs have reloaded and are prepared to fill it. Three returning starters and eight returning lettermen ensure that this will not be a rebuilding season. Junior forward John Williams is the Bulldogs leading returning scorer (12.9 PPG) and leading rebounder (6.6 RPG) from last year. Asheville also has one of the best guard tandems in the conference with sophomore Matt Dickey (named to the Big South All-Rookie team last season) and lone senior Sean Smith (the Bulldogs’ best three-point shooter, posting an incredible .457 mark). Both players averaged in double figures last season. Asheville will have outstanding depth at guard, including sophomore J.P. Primm, who started a number of contests and played big minutes last year.
In the frontcourt, there are several potential candidates to help fill the shoes of Augst and Ridenhour. Junior Eric Stubbs led the Bulldogs in field-goal percentage one year ago at .515. Asheville also has a pair of underclassman centers with tremendous size. Sophomore Sean Hobbs (7’2”, 260) and freshman D.J. Cunningham (6’10”, 240) should provide depth and a strong interior presence.
The Bulldogs will be tested early and often this season, as they embark on a grueling non-conference slate to begin the year. The schedule includes away matches with national powerhouses Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, and Charlotte. There will be 14 home games played at the Justice Center this year, as well as an exhibition match against Brevard on November 9th. Asheville tips off the official practice season this Friday night with the annual Jammin’ at the Justice event. The festivities will include scrimmages with both the men’s and women’s players, a slam dunk contest, and a three point contest. Jammin’ at the Justice begins at 6pm.
The Bulldogs lose forwards Reid Augst and Jason Ridenhour, the only two players to start every game last season, to graduation. Augst led the team in scoring with 15.4 points per game and was second in rebounding. Although these departures leave a void in the Asheville frontcourt, the Bulldogs have reloaded and are prepared to fill it. Three returning starters and eight returning lettermen ensure that this will not be a rebuilding season. Junior forward John Williams is the Bulldogs leading returning scorer (12.9 PPG) and leading rebounder (6.6 RPG) from last year. Asheville also has one of the best guard tandems in the conference with sophomore Matt Dickey (named to the Big South All-Rookie team last season) and lone senior Sean Smith (the Bulldogs’ best three-point shooter, posting an incredible .457 mark). Both players averaged in double figures last season. Asheville will have outstanding depth at guard, including sophomore J.P. Primm, who started a number of contests and played big minutes last year.
In the frontcourt, there are several potential candidates to help fill the shoes of Augst and Ridenhour. Junior Eric Stubbs led the Bulldogs in field-goal percentage one year ago at .515. Asheville also has a pair of underclassman centers with tremendous size. Sophomore Sean Hobbs (7’2”, 260) and freshman D.J. Cunningham (6’10”, 240) should provide depth and a strong interior presence.
The Bulldogs will be tested early and often this season, as they embark on a grueling non-conference slate to begin the year. The schedule includes away matches with national powerhouses Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, and Charlotte. There will be 14 home games played at the Justice Center this year, as well as an exhibition match against Brevard on November 9th. Asheville tips off the official practice season this Friday night with the annual Jammin’ at the Justice event. The festivities will include scrimmages with both the men’s and women’s players, a slam dunk contest, and a three point contest. Jammin’ at the Justice begins at 6pm.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Volleyball Alone On Top
The Bulldogs solidified their position atop the Big South standings over the weekend with two huge conference wins at the Justice Center. UNC Asheville (17-5, 6-0) shut out High Point on Friday evening, and then defeated Liberty on Saturday afternoon to take sole possession of first place in the conference.
It was a team effort for the Bulldogs against High Point (11-11, 1-5) on Friday night. Kelsey Benorden posted a match-high 12 kills, but Lauren Ficker contributed 11 while hitting .412, and Cindi Miller added 9 to go with a .500 hitting percentage. On the defensive end, Raquel Miotto had 16 digs and Bridget Holliday came up with 13. Asheville also collected 9 blocks in the match, with Ficker tallying 4 and Jenna Dover and Holly Shelton each with 3. The Bulldogs outlasted High Point in a tough first game, 25-21, and then were able to pull away in the next two, winning 25-17 and 25-18.
On Saturday afternoon, Asheville tackled Liberty, the only remaining team unbeaten in conference play. The star of the match was Miller, who had a career-high 22 kills while hitting .500 for the second straight outing. Miller had a particularly strong showing in the decisive fourth set. Benorden and Ficker combined for an additional 24 kills, and three Bulldogs tallied double-digit digs - Miotto (16), Benorden (16), and Brooke Holliday (13). The match seemed destined to go five sets, with the first decided by a 30-28 margin. Asheville had several key blocks to take the second set, 25-22, but Liberty came back from the break re-energized and stormed to a 25-16 victory in third set. In the fourth set, however, the Asheville attack proved too much for the Flames (10-8, 5-1). Behind a series of powerful kills from Miller and Ficker, the Bulldogs were able to shut the door for the 3-1 victory.
Cindi Miller’s outstanding performance was recognized this afternoon when she was named Big South Player of the Week. In addition to the two matches this weekend, Miller also had nine kills and two blocks in the Bulldogs’ road win over Presbyterian on Tuesday night. With Ficker leading the attack all season and Benorden now healthy, the emergence of Miller makes Asheville’s front line truly formidable.
The Bulldogs will have the week off, but return to action over the weekend against two of the conference’s best. Asheville will travel to Rock Hill, S.C., on Friday night to take on second-place Winthrop (13-6, 5-1), followed by a Saturday afternoon battle with fourth-place Coastal Carolina (9-9, 3-2) in Conway, S.C. If the Bulldogs are able to come away from this road trip with their perfect conference mark in tact, they will be the clear favorite to claim the Big South regular season title.
It was a team effort for the Bulldogs against High Point (11-11, 1-5) on Friday night. Kelsey Benorden posted a match-high 12 kills, but Lauren Ficker contributed 11 while hitting .412, and Cindi Miller added 9 to go with a .500 hitting percentage. On the defensive end, Raquel Miotto had 16 digs and Bridget Holliday came up with 13. Asheville also collected 9 blocks in the match, with Ficker tallying 4 and Jenna Dover and Holly Shelton each with 3. The Bulldogs outlasted High Point in a tough first game, 25-21, and then were able to pull away in the next two, winning 25-17 and 25-18.
On Saturday afternoon, Asheville tackled Liberty, the only remaining team unbeaten in conference play. The star of the match was Miller, who had a career-high 22 kills while hitting .500 for the second straight outing. Miller had a particularly strong showing in the decisive fourth set. Benorden and Ficker combined for an additional 24 kills, and three Bulldogs tallied double-digit digs - Miotto (16), Benorden (16), and Brooke Holliday (13). The match seemed destined to go five sets, with the first decided by a 30-28 margin. Asheville had several key blocks to take the second set, 25-22, but Liberty came back from the break re-energized and stormed to a 25-16 victory in third set. In the fourth set, however, the Asheville attack proved too much for the Flames (10-8, 5-1). Behind a series of powerful kills from Miller and Ficker, the Bulldogs were able to shut the door for the 3-1 victory.
Cindi Miller’s outstanding performance was recognized this afternoon when she was named Big South Player of the Week. In addition to the two matches this weekend, Miller also had nine kills and two blocks in the Bulldogs’ road win over Presbyterian on Tuesday night. With Ficker leading the attack all season and Benorden now healthy, the emergence of Miller makes Asheville’s front line truly formidable.
The Bulldogs will have the week off, but return to action over the weekend against two of the conference’s best. Asheville will travel to Rock Hill, S.C., on Friday night to take on second-place Winthrop (13-6, 5-1), followed by a Saturday afternoon battle with fourth-place Coastal Carolina (9-9, 3-2) in Conway, S.C. If the Bulldogs are able to come away from this road trip with their perfect conference mark in tact, they will be the clear favorite to claim the Big South regular season title.
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