Asheville, North Carolina, September 17, 2025
News Summary
Marika Dickel, a freshman from UNC Asheville, has been honored as Big South Freshman of the Week after her impressive performance at the Furman Invitational. Dickel finished 26th among 69 runners, clocking a time of 24:18.18, contributing to the Bulldogs’ third-place finish. The volleyball team also achieved success by defeating North Carolina Central 3-1, showcasing standout performances from players such as Baylor Herlehy and Selina Koc. UNC Asheville will next compete against North Carolina A&T and UNC Greensboro in the upcoming Battle of North Carolina.
Asheville, North Carolina – Marika Dickel, a freshman from UNC Asheville, has received the honor of being named the Big South Freshman of the Week following her strong performance at the Furman Invitational. The announcement was made on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
At the Furman Invitational, which took place on September 13, 2025, Dickel showcased exceptional talent by being the fastest Big South Freshman in the race, finishing 26th out of 69 total runners. She completed the race with a time of 24:18.18, and her performance placed her as the fourth-fastest runner from UNC Asheville on that day. This noteworthy contribution helped the Bulldogs secure a third-place finish, finishing ahead of Charleston Southern, who placed fourth.
Looking ahead, the Bulldogs will compete at the Live in Lou Classic in Louisville, Kentucky, scheduled for October 3.
In addition to Dickel’s achievement, the UNC Asheville volleyball team recently claimed victory over North Carolina Central on September 16, 2025. The match took place at the Justice Center, with the Bulldogs winning with a score of 3-1. The set scores were 25-21, 21-25, 25-18, and 25-21.
Baylor Herlehy was a standout performer in the volleyball match, leading the Bulldogs with 13 kills and achieving an impressive hitting percentage of .500. Herlehy also contributed five block assists. Other notable performances came from Ana Djurovic, who added 12 kills and eight digs, and Kylie Cackovic, who recorded 10 kills during the match. Off the bench, Addie Brookbank made a significant impact, contributing nine kills and eight digs, while Albertine van der Goot recorded nine kills with a hitting percentage of .318 and provided three block assists.
Setter Selina Koc excelled as well, recording a double-double with 26 assists and 16 digs. Payton Rolfsen supported the team with 19 assists and five block assists. Libero Michelle Thao anchored the defense, leading with 20 digs, along with Izzy Perkins, who added 10 digs. Avery Loeback topped the team with a solo block and five block assists, alongside five kills. As a team, Asheville achieved 61 kills and hit .279, while N.C. Central managed a hitting percentage of .131. The Bulldogs collectively tallied 77 digs and 11 total team blocks.
The volleyball team is set to face North Carolina A&T and UNC Greensboro in the upcoming Battle of North Carolina on September 20, 2025. Historically, UNC Asheville holds a 7-1 record against North Carolina Central, with their last matchup occurring in August 2023, where Asheville won a tight game with a score of 15-13 in the fifth set. Currently, North Carolina A&T comes into the matchup with a recent record of 1-1 over the weekend prior to facing Asheville. This upcoming Saturday will mark the first matchup between the Bulldogs and North Carolina A&T since 2021, with Asheville leading the historical series 17-5 since their first encounter in 1986.
Key Match Statistics
| Statistic | UNC Asheville | N.C. Central |
|---|---|---|
| Kills | 61 | Not Provided |
| Hitting Percentage | .279 | .131 |
| Digs | 77 | Not Provided |
| Total Blocks | 11 | Not Provided |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was named the Big South Freshman of the Week?
Marika Dickel was named Big South Freshman of the Week.
When was the announcement made?
The announcement was made on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
What was Dickel’s performance at the Furman Invitational?
Dickel finished 26th out of 69 total runners with a time of 24:18.18.
What was the outcome of the volleyball match against North Carolina Central?
The UNC Asheville volleyball team defeated North Carolina Central 3-1.
When is the next competition for the volleyball team?
The Bulldogs will next face North Carolina A&T and UNC Greensboro in the “Battle of North Carolina” on September 20, 2025.
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Additional Resources
- UNC Asheville: Marika Dickel Named Big South Freshman of the Week
- Google Search: UNC Asheville Cross Country
- UNC Asheville: Dominant Offense Leads Volleyball to Victory
- Wikipedia: UNC Asheville
- UNC Asheville: Men’s Soccer Ties at East Tennessee State
- Google News: UNC Asheville Men’s Soccer
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.
