Blue Ridge Volleyball Classic Delivers Three Days of Competitive Action
Five Division I programs gathered in downtown Asheville for a weekend filled with sweeps, comebacks and five-set finishes
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The second annual Blue Ridge Volleyball Classic brought five NCAA Division I women’s volleyball programs to Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville from September 4–6.
Photo Credit: Sawyer Snider Photography
Western Carolina, Seton Hall, UNC Asheville, Bellarmine and Jacksonville State competed in eight matches across the three-day event. Four contests were decided in four or five sets, giving spectators an early-season showcase of competitive collegiate volleyball.
Friday opened with UNC Asheville defeating Bellarmine in three closely contested sets, 25–22, 25–23 and 25–23. The match included 14 ties and eight lead changes.
Seton Hall followed with a four-set victory over Jacksonville State. The Pirates recovered after dropping the opening set, winning the next three to begin their weekend on a positive note.
Western Carolina and Bellarmine then delivered the first five-set contest of the Classic. After falling behind two sets to one, the Catamounts extended the match with a 27–25 fourth-set win before securing the deciding frame 15–13.
Saturday began with another five-set match. Bellarmine won the opening two sets against Jacksonville State, but the Gamecocks responded by taking the third and fourth. The Knights regrouped in the deciding set, winning 15–8 to earn a 3–2 victory.
UNC Asheville swept Seton Hall in the afternoon match, recording 43 kills and a .322 hitting percentage. Western Carolina closed Saturday’s schedule with a four-set victory over Jacksonville State.
On Sunday, UNC Asheville completed a 3–0 weekend without dropping a set by defeating Jacksonville State, 25–22, 25–23 and 25–21. The final match of the Classic provided one more five-set finish, as Seton Hall rallied from a 2–1 deficit to defeat Western Carolina, 26–24, 23–25, 22–25, 25–15 and 15–6.
Following the final match, nine student-athletes representing all five participating programs were recognized for their performances throughout the weekend as members of the 2026 Blue Ridge Volleyball Classic All-Tournament Team:
Maddie Carnes (Fr.), Bellarmine
Azavia Thomas (Jr.), Jacksonville State
Daria Safian (Soph.), Seton Hall
Kennedy Horn (Rs-Fr.), Seton Hall
Addie Brookbank (Soph.), UNC Asheville
Lydia Pate (Jr.), UNC Asheville
Sarah Wadsworth (Jr.), UNC Asheville
Elise Gurley (Soph.), Western Carolina
Tatum Sharp (Soph.), Western Carolina
Photo Credits: Sawyer Snider Photography
“The Blue Ridge Volleyball Classic brought together five outstanding programs and gave fans across Western North Carolina an opportunity to experience Division I volleyball in the heart of Asheville,” said Chris Smith, president of the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission. “We’re grateful to the teams, partners, volunteers and spectators who helped make the weekend a success.”
The Blue Ridge Volleyball Classic was presented by Ingles Markets in partnership with the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission, Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville, Pepsi and New Belgium Brewing.
The event’s second year continued to build its place on Asheville’s sports calendar while giving regional fans an opportunity to experience Division I volleyball up close. The Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission thanks the participating student-athletes and coaches, event partners, volunteers and spectators who helped create a memorable weekend in Western North Carolina.