UNC Asheville Athletics • August 2017 Bulldog Bites

Naber and UNC Asheville Women’s Soccer Off to Strong Start Visit UNCABulldogs.com for all your fall athletics information 2 • Bulldog Bites August 2017 Bulldogs Kick Off the 2017-18 Athletic Year the Right Way With Annual ‘Welcome Back’

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The start of the letics Director for Student-Athlete Success lete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Presi- Asheville student-athlete pictures that new athletic year obviously brings new Rebecca Nelms commenced with all of the dent Kevin Vannatta. feature all of the student-athletes in several beginnings, which is why to kick off the well over 200 UNC Asheville student-ath- UNC Asheville Chancellor Mary K. panoramic pictures. year the right way the UNC Asheville letes enjoying a first-class meal provided Grant then spoke to the group about how “It was great to have everyone back in athletics department held its annual “Wel- by Chartwells/UNC Asheville Dining. special of an opportunity it is to be at one place to start the year the right way,” come Back” celebration for the 2017-18 All of the student-athletes then were able UNC Asheville before the guest speaker Cone said. “What was particularly nice athletic year on Sunday, Aug. 20, at Kim- to hear from UNC Asheville Senior Ad- in retired Army Colonel Pete Champagne was to give our student-athletes the unique mel Arena. ministrator for University Enterprises and spoke with all of the student-athletes and opportunity to hear from a Colonel about The special evening that was planned by Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone as well staff in attendance about being a true Bull- leadership. His message truly goes along Associate Athletics Director for Athletics as senior men’s basketball student-athlete dog leader. with our focus on being champions in ath- Operations Terri Brne and Assistant Ath- and 2017-18 UNC Asheville Student-Ath- The evening closed with the annual UNC letics and leaders in life.” August 2017 Bulldog Bites • 3 Achorn Named Director of Marketing and Fan Engagement

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - UNC Asheville low Big South institution Gardner-Webb. finish with the top attendance in baseball, “I am excited to join the Bulldog fam- Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone re- During his time with the Runnin’ Bull- softball, men’s lacrosse and women’s la- ily here at UNC Asheville,” Achorn said. cently announced the hiring of Alexander dogs, Achorn helped increase attendance crosse in the Northeast Conference. He “UNC Asheville boasts a lively student Achorn as the Director of Marketing and at Garnder-Webb by over 90 percent. He also helped evolve the Bryant basketball body, a supportive community, success- Fan Engagement. also launched the “Top Dawg” student student section to become a finalist for ful sports programs and provides a great “We could not be more excited to have rewards program that vastly increased stu- Naismith Student Section of the Year and opportunity to create one of the best fan Alexander Achorn join our team here at dent attendance at Runnin’ Bulldogs ath- to an Elite Eight finish in the NCAA Sixth bases in the conference. Janet R. Cone, UNC Asheville,” UNC Asheville As- letic events by over 170 percent. Achorn’s Fan School Pride competition. Brian Hand and the rest of the athletics sistant Athletic Director for External efforts with student promotion helped Achorn also worked with the Minnesota staff have done a tremendous job growing Relations Brian Hand said. “We here at Gardner-Webb win its first-ever “Best Timberwolves and Lynx after finishing his and promoting the athletics programs and UNC Asheville have admired Alex’s work Of” award from the National Association undergraduate degree at the University of I am blessed to have the ability and the over the past couple of years, and we are of Collegiate Marketing Administrators Miami in Miami, Fla. where he obtained support to contribute to the successes of thrilled that he is bringing his top-notch (NACMA). his Bachelor of Science degree in Educa- the department. I am also very apprecia- expertise as well as his high-level energy Achorn finished his time at Gardner- tion, Sports Administration and Market- tive of the Bryant Bulldogs and the Gard- and enthusiasm to our athletics depart- Webb having also earned his Master of ing. While a student at Miami, Achorn ner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs for allowing ment.” Business Administration in Marketing. was the Basketball Chair of the “Category me to grow and develop as an athletics Achorn joins the UNC Asheville athlet- Prior to joining Gardner-Webb, Achorn 5 Spirit Programming Board” and he marketer (along with helping me familiar- ics department after spending the last cou- also spent time at Akron and Bryant. As founded “Storm Surge,” which was the of- ize myself with the Bulldog name) and am ple of years as the Director of Marketing, the Director of Marketing and Promotions ficial student section for Miami men’s and thankful for an opportunity to remain in Promotions and Game Presentation at fel- at Bryant, Achorn helped the Bulldogs women’s basketball games. the Big South Conference.” 4 • Bulldog Bites August 2017 Back-To-Back! Naber Earns Second Straight Big South Attacking Player of the Week

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After earning her colades (Kelsey Dawson and Hilary McKay Jacksonville. goals (4), tied for 16th in goals per game (1.00) first career Big South Player of the Week in 2003). After netting a pair of goals versus the Terri- and tied for 19th in total points (8). honor last week, senior midfielder Courtney Naber led the Bulldogs to a 1-1 weekend ers, she continued to rack up goals as she now The Ohio native, who has played nearly Naber was named the Attacking Player of the where the team defeated Jacksonville 2-1 on has a three-game, goal-scoring streak. During every minute this season, leads the Big South Week for the second week in a row, which the road in overtime and were narrowly de- the previous three games, she has accounted Conference in points, points per game (2.00), was announced by the league offices on Mon- feated by North Florida 2-1 in overtime. for all four of her goals this season including total goals, goals per game and game-winning day, Aug. 28. After scoring the game-winning goal in two game-winners. She is also one goal away goals. Naber is also second in the league in The back-to-back Attacking Player of the overtime at home versus Wofford on Aug. 20, from tying a personal record for most goals total shots (14) and shots per game (3.50). Week honor is the first time in program his- Naber stayed hot as she scored the go-ahead scored in a single season. Naber and the Bulldogs will return to the tory and the third time an individual has won goal versus North Florida in the 57th minute On a national level, Naber is tied for 2nd in pitch on Sunday, Sept. 3 versus UAB. Kickoff consecutive Big South Player of the Week ac- and the game-winner in the 100th minute at game-winning goals (2), tied for 5th in total is set for 2 p.m. at Greenwood Field. August 2017 Bulldog Bites • 5 Venema Tabbed to Benson Hospitality Invitational All- Tournament Team

ATHENS, Ga. – UNC Asheville fresh- 3-0 sweep of George Mason on Friday, regular season-opening tournament. combined record of 62-28. man middle blocker Ava Venema put to- Aug. 25, as she connected on seven of her UNC Asheville volleyball will next On Friday, Sept. 1, Asheville will take gether a strong first weekend as a Bulldog 10 (.700) attacks in the match. travel to Tallahassee, Fla., for perhaps one on the host Seminoles and Colorado State. to garner All-Tournament honors at the Venema’s 20 kills on the week were sec- of the team’s toughest challenge of the Both programs finished 2016 with more Benson Hospitality Invitational. ond only to UNC Asheville junior outside season in Florida State’s Home2 Suites by than 20 wins on the year and each finished Venema hit an impressive .372 in UNC hitter Cara Guthrie, who ended her efforts Hilton – Tallahassee Seminole Tourna- second in their respective conference reg- Asheville’s three matches to lead the Bull- in the three matches with 30 kills. ment. All three of the Bulldogs’ opponents ular season standings. On Saturday, Sept. dogs in the category. Overall, Venema averaged 2.22 kills per in Tallahassee advanced to the NCAA 2, UNC Asheville will face off against She was also incredibly proficient in the set in Asheville’s three matches in their Tournament last season and boasted a TCU. 6 • Bulldog Bites August 2017 UNC Asheville Volleyball Great Jen Peterson Returns to Program as Assistant Coach

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville vol- ville volleyball team and an alum.” the Biltmore Volleyball Academy. She is also am thankful to Janet R. Cone for this oppor- leyball head coach Frederico Santos recently Jennifer Baker Peterson earned numerous a former assistant coach at Mars Hill. tunity as well. I had a tremendous experience announced the addition of Jen Peterson as an accolades during her playing career. She was Peterson also has extensive high school as a student-athlete at UNC Asheville and assistant coach. a two-time Big South All-Academic selection head coaching experience at North Bun- hope to bring my passion and knowledge to “I am pleased to have Jennifer Peterson (1998 and 1999). Peterson garnered Big South combe High School, Asheville School and help further the great tradition of volleyball at added to the volleyball program,” Santos said. All-Conference and All-Tournament honors North Henderson High School. Asheville.” “She brings a wealth of experience to the pro- in 1999. “I am very excited to be coaching at my Married to 1996 UNC Asheville graduate gram as a coach in the area for 16 years, but Since graduating from UNC Asheville in alma matter and have the opportunity to Brent Peterson, Jen Peterson and her family also as a former member of the UNC Ashe- 2000, she has worked the past 16 years with coach with Coach Santos,” Peterson said. “I currently reside in Arden. August 2017 Bulldog Bites • 7 Women’s Basketball Reveals Tough Non-Conference Schedule

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville travel to Raleigh, N.C. where it will University on Nov. 26 at 2 p.m. MTSU Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. The Bears finished the women’s basketball head coach Brenda square off against NC State. The Wolf- finished second in Conference USA as the 2016-17 season at 25-7 overall and 12-2 Mock Kirkpatrick revealed the 2017-18 pack went 23-8 last year including post- Blue Raiders went 23-11 overall and 15-3 in the SoCon, but they missed the auto- non-conference schedule recently, which ing a 12-4 record in the ACC. NC State in C-USA play. matic bid into NCAA Tournament as they features an Atlantic Coast Conference recorded wins over No. 2 Notre Dame, To conclude the month of November, fell 61-59 to Chattanooga in the SoCon (ACC) opponent, conference champions, No. 6 Florida State, No. 9 Louisville and UNC Asheville will travel to Spartan- Championship. However, Mercer was in- an Education Day and several regional No. 12 Duke last season, and the Pack burg, S.C. to face Wofford on Nov. 30 at vited to participate in the WNIT where it opposition. finished the 2016-17 season ranked 17th in 7 p.m. fell to Alabama in the opening round. “I am extremely pleased with our non- the country, according to the Associated Last season UNC Asheville set the pro- UNC Asheville will play its final non- conference schedule because it will pres- Press (AP). With the high national rank- gram home attendance record (2,257 fans) conference road game on Dec. 16 as the ent tough challenges as well as a few new ing, the NCAA awarded the Wolfpack an on Education Day, and the Bulldogs have Bulldogs travel to Spartanburg, S.C. to regional opponents that our fanbase will at-large invitation to the NCAA Tourna- scheduled another Education Day promo- battle USC Upstate at 2 p.m. be excited about playing,” Kirkpatrick ment. They defeated Auburn 62-48 in the tion against Warren-Wilson on Dec. 4 at To conclude the non-conference sched- said. opening round before they were bounced 11:30 a.m. Last year the Bulldogs downed ule, Asheville will host back-to-back The Bulldogs will begin their preseason out of the tournament by No. 14 Texas. the Owls at home 113-51 including post- home games on Dec. 21 against Appala- with a home exhibition on Nov. 3 versus Following a tough opponent, Asheville ing 40 points in the third quarter. chian State and Dec. 28 versus Furman. Mars Hill University. The exhibition will host its first home game of the sea- “I am excited that we were able to plug Both games will tip at 7 p.m. inside Kim- is set to begin at 7 p.m. inside Kimmel son on Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. as the Bulldogs another Education Day game in our non- mel Arena. Arena. Over a week later, UNC Asheville welcome Charlotte to Kimmel Arena. conference slate because it was such an “We designed our non-conference will start its regular season on the road on The 49ers went 21-10 last year while post- awesome experience last year for both schedule to prepare our young ladies to Nov. 12 at Western Carolina. The Bull- ing impressive wins over Wisconsin and teams and of course the community compete in the Big South. We also wanted dogs look to make it three straight vic- Pittsburgh. The Bulldogs will hit the road schools,” Kirkpatrick said. to have a tough regional schedule that tories over the Catamounts as Asheville for their third away game of the season as For the first time of the season, Ashe- gave our fans plenty of opportunities to won last year’s matchup 62-53 and 67-45 they travel to Davidson on Nov. 22, and ville will host back-to-back home games watch our players in person. We have ac- two seasons ago in Cullowhee, N.C. five days later, UNC Asheville returns as it will entertain Southern Conference complished that with these eleven oppo- Two days later, UNC Asheville will home to face Middle Tennessee State Regular Season Champions Mercer on nents,” Kirkpatrick said. 8 • Bulldog Bites August 2017 UNC Asheville Men’s Basketball to Participate in 2017 NIT Season Tip-Off

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Defending Big South season appearances with the Bulldogs play- events and two college award shows, which Bowl (Nevada); Lockheed Martin Armed Conference regular season co-champion ing in the 2016 NCAA Tournament and the accounts for approximately 300-plus hours Forces Bowl (Dallas-Fort Worth); MEAC/ UNC Asheville men’s basketball will partici- 2017 CollegeInsider.com Tournament. of programming, reaches almost 64 million SWAC Challenge (Baton Rouge, La.); Ray- pate in the 2017 NIT Season Tip-Off. The 2016-17 Bulldogs earned the second- viewers and attracts over 700,000 attendees com Media Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, UNC Asheville will be one of the non- most wins in program history in a season each year. With satellite offices in Albuquer- Ala.); St. Petersburg Bowl (Florida); Texas bracketed teams in the 2017 NIT Season Tip- with 23. Asheville reached 20 wins faster que, Birmingham, Boca Raton, Boise, Dal- Bowl (Houston); The Home Depot College Off along with Austin Peay, Fairleigh Dickin- than any other team in program history in 27 las-Fort Worth, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Mont- Football Awards (Atlanta) and Zaxby’s Heart son, Monmouth and Oakland City. games. gomery and St. Petersburg, ESPN Events of Dallas Bowl (Dallas-Fort Worth) The Bulldogs as part of the NIT Season UNC Asheville is currently accepting de- builds relationships with conferences, schools Tip-Off will travel to Rhode Island (Nov. 11), posits for season tickets, and fans can reserve and local communities, as well as providing Collegiate Basketball Vanderbilt (Nov. 17) and Austin Peay (Nov. their season ticket for only $50 per seat. The unique experiences for teams and fans. AdvoCare Invitational (Walt Disney World 19). The Bulldogs will play host to Mon- season ticket includes both men’s and wom- ESPN Events also manages the Big 12 Cor- Resort near Orlando, Fla.); Armed Forces mouth on Nov. 22. en’s home regular-season basketball games. porate Partner Program. Classic (Ramstein Air Base, Germany); UNC Asheville will release full details The NIT Season Tip-Off is one of 11 col- College Basketball Awards Presented by of its non-conference schedule in the near lege basketball events owned and operated by Collegiate Football Wendy’s (Los Angeles); Gildan Charleston future. ESPN Events, a division of ESPN. AdvoCare Texas Kickoff (Houston); Baha- Classic (South Carolina); Hawaiian Airlines The UNC Asheville men’s basketball mas Bowl (Nassau); Birmingham Bowl (Ala- Diamond Head Classic (Honolulu); Jimmy program picked up their sixth Big South About ESPN Events bama); Boca Raton Bowl (Florida); Camping V Men’s Classic presented by Corona (New Conference regular-season title in the 2016-17 ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns World Kickoff (Orlando, Fla.); Celebration York City); Jimmy V Women’s Classic pre- season (1996-97, 1997-98, 2001-02, 2007-08, and operates a large portfolio of 31 colle- Bowl (Atlanta); Famous Idaho Potato Bowl sented by Corona (TBD); NIT Season Tip- 2011-12 and 2016-17). giate sporting events worldwide. The roster (Boise); Frisco Bowl (Frisco, Texas); Gildan Off (Brooklyn, N.Y.); PK80 (Portland, Ore.); The Bulldogs will commence the 2017-18 includes three Labor Day weekend college New Mexico Bowl (Albuquerque); Guardian Puerto Rico Tip-Off (San Juan); State Farm season having collected back-to-back 20-win football games; FCS opening-weekend game; Credit Union FCS Kickoff (Montgomery, Champions Classic (Chicago) and Wooden seasons and having made two straight post- 14 college bowl games, 11 college basketball Ala.); Hawai’i Bowl (Honolulu); Las Vegas Legacy (Fullerton, Calif.) August 2017 Bulldog Bites • 9 UNC Asheville Athletics Thanks Faculty With T-Shirts

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The UNC Asheville staff, the athletics department made sure to Dr. Jeff Wilcox first introduced the Bulldog Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic athletics department knows that the faculty come by and thank all of the members of head coaches before turning things over to Affairs Dr. Joseph Urgo with commemora- on the campus are second-to-none. faculty during a meeting on Friday, Aug. Kirkpatrick who thanked all of the faculty tive UNC Asheville athletic t-shirts. That is why behind the efforts of UNC 18. personally. Every faculty member then had a chance Asheville women’s basketball head coach At the conclusion of the meeting, UNC Kirkpatrick then also presented UNC to pick up a t-shirt of their own on the way Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick and everyone on Asheville Faculty Athletic Representative Asheville Chancellor Mary K. Grant and out of the meeting. 10 • Bulldog Bites August 2017 UNC Asheville Athletics Places 72 Percent of Student-Athletes on Big South Presidential Honor Roll

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The UNC Ashe- 17 Asheville student-athletes collecting a in life, and a total of 42 Bulldog student- point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or better ville athletics department placed 72.11 per- perfect 4.0 GPA. athletes (seven in December of 2016 and 35 for the recently-completed academic year. cent of its eligible 190 student-athletes to the The combined GPA for the athletics de- in May of 2017) took complete advantage of The 59.75 percentage marks the third con- prestigious annual Big South Presidential partment at UNC Asheville during the fall their opportunity to thrive in their athletic secutive year above 50 percent. Honor Roll for the 2016-17 academic year. 2016 semester was an impressive 3.198. and academic endeavors by officially gradu- High Point University led all Big South in- “Sometimes I think what our student-ath- The 2017 spring semester finished with the ating from the University during the 2016-17 stitutions for the third straight year, as HPU letes are doing in the classroom is lost in all 211 Bulldog student-athletes enrolled for the athletic year. had 77.83 percent of its 230 student-athletes of the great things they are doing athletically semester closing out the academic year with UNC Asheville women’s swimming on the Presidential Honor Roll -- one of for our University,” UNC Asheville Director a combined 3.315 grade-point average for competes in the Coastal Collegiate Sports seven members to have at least 60 percent of Athletics Janet R. Cone said. “Their ef- the spring semester. Association and are not eligible for the Big on the list. UNC Asheville placed just be- forts athletically are just a small part of the In fact, 77 percent (163 of 211) of the UNC South Conference Honor Roll, which is why hind as noted with 72.11 percent of its 190 story as these numbers show. We truly have Asheville student-athletes earned a grade- the number of student-athletes is 190. Bull- student-athletes on the list, while Gardner- student-athletes here at UNC Asheville that point average of 3.0 or higher during the dog swimming is also extremely stout in the Webb University had 67.13 percent of its value and champion pursing greatness with 2017 spring semester to be placed on the classroom though as the program garnered 356 student-athletes among the honorees. their academic, athletic and lifelong goals.” Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. Scholar All-America Team honors from the Also surpassing the 60 percent threshold The 2016-17 athletic year overall for UNC In addition, 76 UNC Asheville student- College Swimming and Diving Coaches As- was Winthrop University (66.42%), Radford Asheville saw the Bulldogs excel in not only athletes concluded the spring semester with sociation of America (CSCAA) for the 10th University (65.95%), Campbell University their respective sports, but also in their ef- a GPA of 3.5 or higher to be placed on the consecutive semester in late June. (63.74%) and Presbyterian College (63.54%). forts in the community, and particularly, the Dean’s List. A total of 21 Bulldog student- In total, the Big South Conference placed In addition, 135 student-athletes achieved classroom. athletes claimed a spot on the Chancellor’s 1,784 out of 2,986 student-athletes -- an a perfect 4.0 GPA in 2016-17, and each of the The proof is in the numbers. List with a perfect 4.0 for the semester. all-time high of 59.75 percent -- on its presti- Big South’s 19 sponsored sports had at least During the fall of 2016, 70 percent (156 of Overall for the 2016-17 athletic year, the gious annual Presidential Honor Roll for the one 4.0 student. 223) of the UNC Asheville student-athletes combined GPA for UNC Asheville student- 2016-17 academic year, it was announced To learn more about UNC Asheville ath- earned a grade-point average of 3.0 or athletes was 3.247. Wednesday, Aug. 26, by Big South Confer- letics, please visit uncabulldogs.com. For a higher during the semester. In addition, 73 The core mission of UNC Asheville athlet- ence Commissioner Kyle B. Kallander. sport-by-sport breakdown of total honorees Bulldog student-athletes finished the fall ics is for its student-athletes to be not only To be named to the Presidential Honor and 4.0 student-athletes in each sport, visit semester with a GPA of 3.5 or higher with champions in athletics, but also leaders Roll, student-athletes must maintain a grade www.BigSouthSports.com. August 2017 Bulldog Bites • 11 Thomas Listed Among Top-10 in Mid- Major College Basketball at Position ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville men’s basketball senior Ahmad Thomas has been ranked among the top-10 small forwards in mid-major college basketball by CBB Cen- tral. Thomas is described by Kevin Sweeney of CBB Central as “one of my favorite players to watch in college basketball. He plays with such incredible energy and toughness, and is an elite perimeter defender. Not only that, but he has improved his offensive repertoire drastically as well to make him one of the top wings in the Big South and across the coun- try. His improvement from the 3-pt arc a sea- son ago was incredibly impressive and speaks to just how hard a worker Thomas is.” Listed as a guard by UNC Asheville, Thomas is one of many that Sweeney sees in mid-major college basketball that “spend sig- nificant time at multiple positions, whether it be guys on the small side who also see action at shooting guard or ‘big wings’ who are also deployed as small-ball 4’s.” A first-team Big South All-Conference and NCAA Division I NABC District 3 selection, Thomas averaged 18.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.3 assists per game in the 2016- goal percentage at 54.4 percent shooting (243- Conference play this past season, Teague con- and 2016-17). 17 season. of-447). nected on 29 consecutive free throw attempts. The Bulldogs will commence the 2017-18 The 2016-17 Big South Conference Defen- In addition to Thomas finding his way into In putting together his Freshmen All-Amer- season having collected back-to-back 20-win sive Player of the Year will enter his senior the top-10, UNC Asheville’s MaCio Teague ica season, Teague scored in double figures seasons and having made two straight post- season in the 2017-18 season with 1,098 just missed the cut of the top-10 at the shoot- in 25 of UNC Asheville’s 33 games. The Cin- season appearances with the Bulldogs playing points and 519 rebounds. The 56th player in ing guard position according to CBB Central. cinnati, Ohio native scored 20 or more points in the 2016 NCAA Tournament and the 2017 Big South Conference history to score over A first-team Big South Conference choice in eight games. CollegeInsider.com Tournament. 1,000 points and collect over 500 rebounds, and NABC All-District 3 selection also, In total, Teague finished in the top-10 in The 2016-17 Bulldogs earned the second- Thomas with 189 steals in his career is near- Teague finished his freshman season averag- the Big South Conference in free throw per- most wins in program history in a season ing becoming just the sixth player in league ing 15.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists centage (second-88.6), field goal percentage with 23. Asheville reached 20 wins faster history with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and per game. (fourth-46.8), minutes played (fourth-34.1), than any other team in program history in 27 200 steals. Thomas’ 99 steals this season for A Kyle Macy Freshmen All-America Team three-point field goals made (sixth-70), scor- games. the Bulldogs is a program record. member, Teague ended his first year in a ing (seventh-15.4) and assists (ninth-2.7). UNC Asheville is currently accepting de- Thomas finished last year fourth in the Bulldog uniform with 509 points to become The UNC Asheville men’s basketball pro- posits for season tickets, and fans can reserve country in total steals with 99 and fifth in just one of seven players in league history to gram picked up its sixth Big South Confer- their season ticket for only $50 per seat. The steals per game at 3.00. The junior do-it-all record 500 or more points during their fresh- ence regular-season title in the 2016-17 season season ticket includes both men’s and wom- Thomas led the Big South Conference in field man season. At one point during Big South (1996-97, 1997-98, 2001-02, 2007-08, 2011-12 en’s home regular-season basketball games. Get Yours Today! 2017-18 UNC Asheville Basketball Season Tickets Now On Sale ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville athletics depart- regular-season basketball games. nament and the women claim the Big South Tournament title ment announced recently that the 2017-18 basketball season The 2017-18 UNC Asheville basketball season is shaping up en route to an NCAA Tournament appearance. tickets are now officially on sale. to be special once again for the men’s and women’s basketball To purchase your tickets today, please visit http://uncabull- UNC Asheville is currently accepting deposits, and fans can teams who are coming off banner 2016-17 seasons that saw the dogs.universitytickets.com/user_pages/event_listings.asp. reserve their season ticket for only $50 per seat. men win a share of the Big South Conference regular-season For more information on UNC Asheville athletics, please The season ticket includes both men’s and women’s home title before playing in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tour- visit www.uncabulldogs.com. 12 • Bulldog Bites August 2017 UNC Asheville Baseball Final Summer Ball Update ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Ashe- ville baseball players competing in sum- mer ball have completed their seasons. All nine returners for 2018 gained valuable experience for the upcoming season and helped their teams tremendously.

Nick Boyles Team: Bismarck Larks League: Northwoods League, North Di- vision Location: Bismarck, N.D. Website: NorthwoodsLeague.com/ Bismarck-Larks Boyles made 13 appearances on the mound for the Bismarck Larks, pitching 22.2 innings. He struck out 17 batters compared to giving up 12 walks and 11 earned runs. He ended the summer with a 4.36 ERA, 3-2 record and five saves.

Tanner Bush Team: Forest City Owls League: Coastal Plain League, West Di- vision Location: Forest City, N.C. Website: ForestCityBaseball.com mer saw him go 3-for-4 at the plate with sac flies and three sacrifice hits. Pagano Location: Southampton, N.Y. Bush played in seven games for the Owls a double and two runs scored against the boasted five multi-hit games this summer Website: Southampton Breakers - Point- batted .231 for the summer. In his time Express on July 16. and finished the season with at least one Streak Site with the Owls, he went 6-of-26 with seven Brandon Lankford hit in the final three games. In the final Troost appeared in four games for the runs scored, two extra-base knocks, one Team: Bismarck Larks stretch, he went 5-for-10 (.500) with two Southampton Breakers, batting .250 with RBI and was a perfect 7-for-7 on the base League: Northwoods League, North Di- runs scored, a pair of doubles and a walk three hits, two runs scored, a double and paths. He was named the team’s Owl of vision while striking out just once. In the field, he two walks drawn. He also batted in a run. the Week on June 12 as he batted .467 with Location: Bismarck, N.D. helped turn three double plays. seven runs scored, five stolen bases and a Website: NorthwoodsLeague.com/ Danny Wilson home run the week prior. Bismarck-Larks Tyler Serricchio Team: Wilmington Sharks Lankford, who started the summer with Team: Lake Norman Copperheads League: Coastal Plain League, East Divi- Andrew Friedholm the Haysville Aviators out of the Jayhawk League: Southern Collegiate Baseball sion Team: Forest City Owls Collegiate League, played in 20 games for League Location: Wilmington, N.C. League: Coastal Plain League, West Di- the Bismarck Larks as of Aug. 11, batting Location: Cornelius, N.C. Website: WilmingtonSharks.com vision .156 with 10 hits, six runs scored and nine Website: Lake Norman Copperheads - Wilson, who started the summer with Location: Forest City, N.C. RBIs. Four of his were doubles and he had PointStreak Site the Lexington County Blowfish, joined the Website: ForestCityBaseball.com one home run. While with the Aviators, Serricchio ended his summer having Wilmington Sharks to finish out the sum- Friedholm saw action in 19 games, mak- Lankford, UNC Asheville’s Freshman All- played 20 games for the Lake Norman mer, staying in the Coastal Plains League. ing 18 starts for the Owls as their back- American, batted .240 in 12 games with Copperheads. During his stint with the The Sharks won the East Division of the stop. He batted .167 with eight hits and 12 hits, nine runs scored, seven extra-base Copperheads, Serricchio batted .208 with Coastal Plain League. In his time with the seven runs scored. Four of his hits were knocks and 13 runs batted in. Between the 11 hits, seven runs scored, two doubles, Sharks, Wilson batted .233 in 21 games, doubles to go along with a home run. He two teams, he hit .192 with 23 runs batted one home run and three runs batted in. making 17 starts. He had 14 hits to his boasted nine runs batted in and a .313 in, 15 runs scored, eight doubles and four From June 30 to July 7, Serricchio had a credit to go along with 11 runs scored, two slugging percentage with a .369 on-base home runs. stretch of five games where he garnered home runs, a double and 10 runs batted in. percentage. at least one hit, going 7-for-16 (.438) in the He slugged .350 with a .299 on-base per- Carmine Pagano stretch with two multi-hit games and two centage and was 2-for-2 in stolen bases. He Kole Harris Team: Sanford Mainers extra-base hits. In total, Serricchio regis- had 26 putouts in the field and 40 assists Team: Woodstock River Bandits League: New England Baseball League, tered a hit in nine games with his best two as he played second base for Wilmington. League: Shenandoah Valley League, Northern Division performances coming against the Athlet- Prior to the move to Wilmington, Wilson North Division Location: Sanford, Maine ics. In both contests, he went 2-for-3 with started 10 of the 11 games he appeared in Location: Woodstock, Va. Website: SanfordMainers.com two runs scored. In the second meeting, a for the Blowfish. He batted .276 with eight Website: WoodstockRiverBandits.org Pagano saw action in 39 games this sea- 7-4 win on July 1, Serricchio also batted in hits, four runs scored, three runs batted Harris ended his summer with the Wood- son for the Sanford Mainers. He ended the three runs and blasted a home run. in and an on-base percentage of .400. He stock River Bandits batting .148 in 28 season batting .171 with 19 hits, 10 runs drew five walks and boasted 26 putouts games. He registered nine hits on the sum- scored and eight runs batted in. Of his 19 Chris Troost and eight assists in the field. For the sum- mer to go along with 11 runs scored. He hits on the year, seven went for extra bas- Team: Southampton Breakers mer, Wilson batted a combined .247 with batted in seven runs, drew 18 walks and es, including five doubles and two home League: Hamptons Collegiate Baseball 15 runs scored and 13 runs batted in to go stole six bases. His best game of the sum- runs. He drew 10 walks and boasted two League along with four extra base hits.