ASHEVILLE, N.C. – For its first road swing of the 2018-19 season, the UNC Asheville swimming & diving team travels to Georgia Southern on Friday and North Florida on Saturday.
BULLDOG BITES
Last Time Out – Versus Campbell
UNC Asheville opened its dual meet season by welcoming Campbell to Asheville. The Camels narrowly edged the Bulldogs, 137-125, but the 125 points scored against Campbell was the most ever against the CCSA rival in program history. The previous-best mark was 107 points, which the Bulldogs scored during the 2015-16 season.
The Bulldogs won seven of the 14 total events versus the Camels. Senior Morgan Rulevich was perfect in her events, as she won all three individual events she raced in (100 breaststroke, 50 freestyle and 200 breaststroke). Madison Rogan claimed a pair of victories in the 200 butterfly and 400 IM, while Skylar Rogan also won two events (1000 freestyle and 500 freestye).
One of the best events for Asheville in the dual meet was the 400 IM, where the Bulldogs swept the top three spots. Sydney VandenBerg earned runner-up status, and Anna Nabors placed third.
Adee Weller also had strong performances last weekend. The junior was second place in the 200 freestyle and 500 free. She also finished third in the 100 freestyle to earn three team points for the Bulldogs.
About the Meets
Both dual meets will be Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) meets. The Bulldogs are currently 0-1 against CCSA rivals.
Friday’s dual meet versus Georgia Southern will be held in Statesboro, Ga. at the RAC Aquatic Center and will start at 4 p.m.
Saturday’s CCSA meet against North Florida will be held at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Fla. That meet will commence at 1 p.m.
Last Time Out Versus Georgia Southern
The last time the two squads faced off was last season, and the Bulldogs downed the Eagles, 155-107. The 48-point win over the Eagles was the first-ever victory over the CCSA rival.
Highlighting the meet was Rulevich breaking the school record in the 100 freestyle. The Lake Wylie, S.C. native posted a 51.60 time, but she eventually broke that record again (51.59) at the 2018 CCSA Championships in Athens, Ga. Rulevich also won three individual events versus Georgia Southern – 100 breaststroke, 50 freestyle and 200 breaststroke.
Skylar Rogan and Madison Rogan also had strong performances in last year’s dual meet. Both Bulldogs combined for four victories en route to 36 team points.
Catherine Allen also claimed first-place honors with a victory in the 200 butterfly.
Last Time Out Versus North Florida
On last year’s Senior Day versus North Florida UNC Asheville raced past the conference foe, 218-94. The 218 points scored by the Bulldogs was the most team points in program history. The previous high was recorded at Lenoir-Rhyne, when Asheville won 214-44 during the 2014-15 season.
On the first day of the two-day meet versus the Ospreys the Bulldogs swept all nine events to take a commanding 119-48 lead. Out of the eight events on the second day of the meet the Bulldogs won seven events, including a pair of relays.
Friday’s portion of the meet Rulevich and Allen each won three events. Saturday was highlighted by UNC Asheville sweeping back-to-back events in the 500 freestyle and 200 backstroke.
What’s Next?
UNC Asheville will take a week off, as it will prepare for its first tri-meet of the season. On Saturday, Oct. 27 the Bulldogs travel to face Davidson and VMI in Davidson, N.C. The tri-meet starts at 1 p.m. inside the Cannon Natatorium.
