October 22, 2025

UNC Asheville Freshman Earns Big South Weekly Honor

Asheville, North Carolina, October 22, 2025

News Summary

Addie Brookbank, a freshman outside hitter for UNC Asheville, has been named Big South Freshman of the Week after an outstanding performance that included 27 kills and a hitting percentage of .254 over the weekend. Brookbank achieved her third double-double of the season with significant contributions in matches against High Point and Radford. The Bulldogs are preparing for an upcoming road trip to face Presbyterian and Charleston Southern.

Asheville, North Carolina – UNC Asheville freshman outside hitter Addie Brookbank has been named Big South Freshman of the Week following her impressive performance over the weekend, which included a total of 27 kills and a hitting percentage of .254 in two matches.

Brookbank, hailing from Barrington, Illinois, showcased her skills by recording her third double-double of the season, achieving 14 kills and 19 digs in a match against High Point. She followed this performance with 13 kills and four service aces, including the game-deciding ace in the second set of a match against Radford. This recognition marks Brookbank’s first Big South weekly honor.

The Bulldogs are set to embark on a two-match road trip from October 24-25, facing Presbyterian at 6 PM on Friday and Charleston Southern at 6 PM on Saturday.

In a recent match on October 17, 2025, UNC Asheville played a challenging four-set match against High Point, which ended in a close defeat (23-25, 28-26, 23-25, 22-25). The match was highly competitive, featuring 39 ties and 20 lead changes.

Asheville’s player Michelle Thao made history during this match as she achieved her 1,000th dig, becoming the 24th player in program history to reach this milestone, and the first since 2018. Additionally, Kylie Cackovic led the Bulldogs with 15 kills and 13 digs, marking her fifth double-double of the season. Brookbank closely followed with her performance of 14 kills and a team-high 19 digs.

Lydia Pate also made a strong contribution for the Bulldogs with eight kills and a season-high eight blocks, leading the team with a .400 hitting percentage. Other contributors included Albertine van der Goot with nine kills and Avery Loeback with five kills at a .308 hitting percentage. Setters Payton Rolfsen and Selina Koc combined for a total of 46 assists, showcasing the team’s collective effort in a resilient performance.

The Bulldogs hit .192 during the match, accumulating a total of 63 digs and 73 points. Notably, the opening set witnessed 11 ties and seven lead changes, while Asheville’s notable rally in the second set produced a close win with a score of 28-26. However, despite leading 23-19 in the third set, they ultimately lost as High Point finished with a run of six consecutive points.

Looking ahead, UNC Asheville’s next encounter will be against Radford on October 18, 2025, at 2 PM in the Justice Center.

FAQ

Who was named Big South Freshman of the Week?

UNC Asheville freshman outside hitter Addie Brookbank earned the title of Big South Freshman of the Week on October 20, 2025.

What were Addie Brookbank’s statistics over the weekend?

Brookbank had an outstanding performance over the weekend, accumulating a total of 27 kills (3.86 kills per set) and a hitting percentage of .254 in two matches.

What notable achievements did Brookbank have in her matches?

Brookbank recorded her third double-double of the season with 14 kills and 19 digs in a match against High Point, and in a subsequent match against Radford, she tallied 13 kills and four service aces, including the decisive ace in the second set.

What upcoming matches do the Bulldogs have?

The Bulldogs will travel for a two-match road trip on October 24-25, facing Presbyterian on Friday at 6 PM and Charleston Southern on Saturday at 6 PM.

What other highlights occurred during the match against High Point?

In a previous match on October 17, 2025, Michelle Thao achieved her 1,000th dig at Asheville during the match, becoming the 24th player in program history to reach this milestone and the first since 2018. Kylie Cackovic led the Bulldogs with 15 kills and 13 digs, and Lydia Pate had a strong defensive showing with eight kills and season-high eight blocks.

Key Match Features

Player	Performance Highlights
Addie Brookbank	27 kills, 3.86 kills per set, .254 hitting percentage
Kylie Cackovic	15 kills, 13 digs
Michelle Thao	1,000th dig
Lydia Pate	8 kills, 8 blocks
Payton Rolfsen	20 assists, 3 aces
Selina Koc	26 assists