Asheville, NC, October 10, 2025
News Summary
The UNC Asheville volleyball team is set to face Gardner-Webb and Winthrop in critical Big South Conference matches this weekend. After a split performance last week, the Bulldogs are looking to capitalize on their strong players, including standout performances from Kylie Cackovic and Michelle Thao. Gardner-Webb, currently struggling, and Winthrop, with impressive stats, both pose significant challenges for Asheville as they seek to enhance their conference standing.
Asheville, NC – The UNC Asheville volleyball team is gearing up for two crucial Big South Conference matches this weekend, facing off against Gardner-Webb and Winthrop. The Bulldogs will take on Gardner-Webb on Friday, October 10, in Boiling Springs, N.C., and will then head to Rock Hill, S.C. to face Winthrop on Saturday, October 11.
Match One: Gardner-Webb
Gardner-Webb enters the match with an overall record of 8-10 and is currently 1-2 in Big South play. Last weekend, they had a mixed performance, winning against Radford in three sets but losing to High Point in four sets. Gardner-Webb boasts impressive statistics, being ranked No. 1 in the nation for team attacks per set at 40.06 and total team attacks at 2,724.
In the Big South, Gardner-Webb leads in aces per set at 1.66 and digs per set at 17.78. They also rank No. 4 in team assists with 761 and team digs totaling 1,209. Other notable statistics include their No. 2 position in team kills at 810 and total aces at 113. Player Nalani McBride stands out, leading the Big South in digs per set at 5.49 and total digs at 373, and has been named Big South’s Libero of the Week three times this season. Milla Lugo is another key player, ranked No. 1 in the league for total blocks with 73.
Match Two: Winthrop
Winthrop holds an overall record of 8-5 and is 2-1 in the Big South. Last weekend, they also experienced a split, securing a win over High Point in five sets but falling to Radford in another five-set thriller. Winthrop’s statistics are impressive, leading the league in winning percentage at .615 and hitting percentage at .232. Avery Jolly, a standout player, spearheads the team with 194 kills and 16 aces and ranks second in digs with 141. Jolly also leads the Big South in attacks per set at 10.80, kills per set at 3.73, and points per set at 4.28.
Recent Performance of UNC Asheville
The Bulldogs are entering this weekend after a 1-1 record from the previous week. They lost to Charleston Southern in four sets on Friday but bounced back to defeat Presbyterian in four sets on Saturday. Kylie Cackovic had a standout performance against Presbyterian with 27 kills, followed closely by Albertine van der Goot with 22 kills. Payton Rolfsen and Selina Koc provided a strong combined total of 80 assists, with Rolfsen leading the way with 50 assists.
Addie Brookbank also contributed notably with five aces over the weekend. Michelle Thao excelled defensively, racking up 65 digs, averaging 8.13 digs per set and achieving a remarkable .926 reception percentage. Alison Goldberg contributed defensively as well, leading the Bulldogs in blocks with a total of 10.
Thao’s performance was recognized as she earned her second Big South Libero of the Week honor, gathering a season-high 34 digs against Charleston Southern and 31 digs against Presbyterian. She led the nation in digs per set last week, currently ranked No. 11 for the season with an average of 5.11 digs per set and No. 9 in total digs with 317.
Additional Information
The Bulldogs will first square off against Gardner-Webb on October 10, followed by the match against Winthrop on October 11. Fans are encouraged to follow the UNC Asheville volleyball team for updates on various social media platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are UNC Asheville’s upcoming matches?
The Bulldogs will compete against Gardner-Webb on Friday, October 10, and Winthrop on Saturday, October 11.
What is Gardner-Webb’s current record?
Gardner-Webb has an overall record of 8-10 and is 1-2 in Big South Conference play.
Who are key players for Winthrop?
Avery Jolly leads the Eagles with 194 kills and 16 aces and is second in digs with 141.
| Team | Overall Record | Big South Record | Key Player | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNC Asheville | Record Not Specified | Record Not Specified | Kylie Cackovic | 27 kills against Presbyterian |
| Gardner-Webb | 8-10 | 1-2 | Nalani McBride | No. 1 in digs per set (5.49) |
| Winthrop | 8-5 | 2-1 | Avery Jolly | 194 kills |
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Additional Resources
- Gardner-Webb Sports
- Wikipedia: UNC Asheville
- UNC Asheville Bulldogs
- Google Search: UNC Asheville Volleyball
- Gardner-Webb Volleyball News
- Britannica: 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.
