Asheville, NC, September 5, 2025

News Summary

Bradley University Volleyball is set to compete in the inaugural Blue Ridge Volleyball Classic in Asheville, North Carolina, featuring three other teams. The tournament promises thrilling matches as teams vie for victory in this new venue. Notable matchups include Bradley against the College of Charleston and UNC at Charlotte. Local support emphasizes the importance of this event for the community’s recovery. Tickets are available online for fans eager to witness this exciting collegiate volleyball event.

Asheville, N.C. to Host Inaugural Blue Ridge Volleyball Classic

Bradley University Volleyball is set to compete in the first-ever Blue Ridge Volleyball Classic in Asheville, North Carolina, on September 5-6, 2025. This major event will see Bradley join three other teams in a three-match tournament hosted by Western Carolina.

The participating teams include Bradley University, College of Charleston, UNC at Charlotte, and Western Carolina. The matches are expected to provide a thrilling experience for volleyball fans and players alike.

Bradley is scheduled for the following matches:

• Bradley vs. College of Charleston on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. CT.
• Bradley vs. Charlotte on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. CT.
• Bradley vs. Western Carolina on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. CT.

Currently, College of Charleston holds a record of 1-2 for the season, with their notable win coming against Mercer. Key players include Izzy Marinelli and Caroline Noonan, boasting impressive stats with kills rates above 2.40 and hitting percentages over 30%. This match will be the first-ever meeting between Bradley and College of Charleston.

Charlotte enters the tournament winless at 0-3, despite strong performances from players such as Jaylen Jordan and Jessica Ricks, who have been key in their offensive efforts. Historically, Charlotte holds a slight edge over Bradley, adding competitive intrigue to their upcoming matchup.

Western Carolina comes into the tournament with a 2-1 record, having secured victories over Texas Tech and Kent State. Leading the charge for Western Carolina are Zoe Zudans and setter Katie Boney, contributing significantly to their team’s successful start.

Bradley, entering the tournament with a record of 2-1, has shown promise early in the season, securing wins against Quinnipiac and Western Illinois. They have a solid offensive line-up consisting of Tendai Titley and Dakota Elliott, both averaging nearly three kills per set. Additionally, their defensive performance has led them to out-block opponents at a rate of 2.25 blocks/set to 1.63 blocks/set, thanks in part to Dakota Elliott and Mairen Mannon.

The Blue Ridge Volleyball Classic will be hosted at the ExploreAsheville.com Arena at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville. This marks a significant event as it is the first collegiate volleyball competition in the new venue. Tickets are available at BlueRidgeVolleyballClassic.com and Ticketmaster.com, priced at $10 for all-day admission and $5 for half-day entry.

Asheville has a rich history of supporting high-level volleyball events. The local community is rallying around this tournament as part of their efforts to recover economically following the impacts of Hurricane Helene. The event highlights a dedicated push to host premier volleyball competitions, supported by local organizations and sponsors, enhancing the city’s reputation within the volleyball community.

All four teams in the tournament are recipients of the AVCA Team Academic Award, reflecting their commitment not just to athletics but also to academic excellence with GPAs of 3.30 or higher.

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Additional Resources

• Bradley Braves News
• Catamount Sports News
• Charlotte 49ers News
• Mountain X News
• Bradley Scout
• Wikipedia: Volleyball
• Britannica: Volleyball
• Google Search: Blue Ridge Volleyball Classic
• Google Scholar: Volleyball Tournaments
• Google News: Volleyball

Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER

The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.