ASHEVILLE, N.C.-- Kelly Budnik had 19 kills and 17 digs, while
freshman setter Amanda Wiles recorded her third double-double of the season as UNCAsheville picked up a crucial Big South Conference volleyball win over
visiting Coastal Carolina Saturday afternoon at Justice Center.
Asheville won the match, 3-1 and by the scores of 32-30, 28-30, 30-20,
30-20.

The victory by the Bulldogs (23-7, 11-2 BSC) put them one victory
away from earning a Big South Conference regular-season title. UNCA
is in first place all by itself at 11-2 and can wrap up the number
one seed for the Big South Conference tournament with a victory over
Winthrop Tuesday night at Justice Center. The Lady Eagles are right
behind the Bulldogs at 10-2.

UNC Asheville also had a great match from senior Leslie Whitfield
with a game-high 38 digs. Whitfield is currently second in the nation
in digs with a 5.50 per game average entering Saturday's match. Wiles
had 54 assists, 10 kills and 12 digs in the match.

The Bulldogs also received a great match from Frida Sigudardottir who
had 14kills and four blocks. Suzanne Aubel and Rose Butler added 10
kills each. Butler had 14 digs, while Aubel led the Asheville effort
in blocks with six.

The Chanticleers (18-10, 9-3 BSC) were led by Katie Knutson's 23
kills. Jeanne Lambert and Carly Draught added 12 kills each. Setter
Jennifer Hampton had 20 digs, while Sarah Bennett led the Coastal
effort on digs with 24.

UNCA trailed much of the first game but got kills from Budnik and
Sigudardottir to take a 1-0 lead at 32-30. Coastal held the Bulldogs
off in the second game as it won, 30-28 behind the Knutson who had
seven kills in the game.

But UNCA came out roaring in the third game, getting four service
aces and won easily, 30-20. The fourth game had the Bulldogs jumping
out to a 17-6 lead before Coastal made one final charge at cut the
lead to 20-16. But two kills from Budnik and another from Wiles
quickly built the lead back to 23-16. Sigurdardottir had a service
ace to finish off the match.