Volleyball Storms into the Semifinals; Will Take On Coastal Carolina

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 19^th 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 13^th, 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!!!

Women's Basketball Tops South Carolina State, 67-60

UNC Asheville stormed back from an early 8-2 deficit to capture its first win of the season, defeating South Carolina State 67-60. The Bulldogs (1-1) bounced back from a season-opening upset at the hands of Newberry, thanks to an inspired effort on defense and double-doubles from two Asheville players.

In her first start of the season, sophomore Linda Aughburns led the Bulldogs with 14 points and pulled down 10 boards. Chioma Okoli posted 13 points for the second straight outing, to go with a career-high 11 rebounds. Also in double figures for UNC Asheville were Lindsey Thompson with 12 points and Kendall Shepard with 11.

The Bulldogs faced a South Carolina State squad that returns three starters from the unit that defeated UNC Asheville 67-64 last season at the Justice Center. Once again, Sophilia Hipps had a big night for SCSU. The senior tallied 14 points, while posting game-highs in rebounds (12), assists (4), and steals (4). SCSU Freshman Lauren Johnson led all scorers with 16 points in the game.

The Bulldogs were a significantly improved team on defense Tuesday night. After allowing Newberry to shoot 46.4% in the opener, Asheville limited South Carolina State to 28.6% shooting. Asheville’s shooters also found their touch, shooting 40% from the field (compared with 31% against Newberry) and 40% from behind the arc (the Bulldogs were a woeful 1-of-20 in the season-opener). Free throw shooting was still a concern, as the Bulldogs managed only 55.3% from the charity stripe.

UNC Asheville also had some success in protecting the basketball. The Bulldogs turned the ball over 15 times in the contest – equal to their total in the loss to Newberry, but well down from 28 in last week’s exhibition match against Mars Hill. Despite the efforts of Aughburns and Okoli on the glass, the Bulldogs were again out-rebounded by their opponent. It was also the second straight contest in which Asheville dished out fewer assists (Asheville had 8 to SCSU’s 12) suggesting that the Bulldogs might live or die by the mid-to-long range jumper this season.

UNC Asheville is back in action this Sunday, hosting Lees-McRae at the Justice Center in the Bobcats’ first game of the season. The match tips off at 2:00, and will be followed at 4:30 by a men’s basketball contest against Campbell.

Men's Basketball Preview: Tennessee

The Bulldogs are in for a huge challenge tonight as they travel to Knoxville to take on 10th-ranked Tennessee in a non-conference matchup. UNC Asheville (0-1) fought hard on Friday night but fell, 86-70, in its season-opener at Charlotte. Meanwhile, Tennessee (1-0) easily dismantled Austin Peay, 83-54.

UNC Asheville bounced back from a shocking exhibition loss at the hands of Brevard to put together a quality effort against a talented Charlotte squad on Friday, but was unable to come away with the win. Playing without top returning scorer John Williams, the Bulldogs were led by sophomore Chris Stephenson, who came off the bench to record a career-high 22 points and 6 rebounds. Stephenson also led the Bulldogs in blocks (3) and assists (2). Junior guard J.P. Primm also had a solid outing, adding 15 points for the Bulldogs. Sean Smith, who scorched the nets for a game-high 22 points in the loss to Brevard, shot only 1-of-7 from three-point range and had 7 total points.

The Bulldogs trailed the 49ers 40-27 at the half, but made an impressive second half run, closing the gap to 48-47 with 11 minutes remaining. Asheville was unable to take the lead, however, and Charlotte pulled away over the final 7 minutes. Rebounding was a major area of concern for the Bulldogs. Charlotte dominated the glass in the first half, outrebounding Asheville 32-15. The Bulldogs cut down on this advantage in the second half, but the damage was already done.
Four Volunteers scored in double figures in Tennessee’s season opening victory on Friday night. Sophomore Scotty Hopson, an SEC all-freshman selection last season, was the high scorer with 16. The Volunteers are led by a pair of seniors, Tyler Smith and Wayne Chism, and both made their presence felt against Austin Peay. Smith, a first-team all-SEC player one year ago, filled out the stat sheet with 14 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and a block. Chism, a second-team selection, had a double-double as well with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

UNC Asheville travelled to Tennessee last season and lost, 87-69. Smith led the Vols with a triple-double in only 24 minutes of play. Three Bulldogs scored in double digits in that contest, and Asheville will likely be without all of them tonight. Reid Augst and Jason Ridenhour graduated this offseason, and John Williams, who missed the Charlotte game due to illness, is officially listed as questionable.