MOREHEAD, Ky. - After taking the first two sets, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga volleyball team came back in the fifth set to record a 3-2 (25-20, 25-19, 22-25, 19-25,15-13) victory over James Madison. After the Dukes jumped out to a 13-9 lead in the final frame, junior setter Bailee Chastain came to the service line helping the Lady Mocs record the last six points to complete the remarkable comeback. Freshman Heather Parman and junior Courtney Barnes were named to the all-tournament team following the tournament.
"Bailee was just so calm and was a great competitor in that situation," said head coach Lisa Rhodes. "She could have very easily missed a serve there, but she didn't and she served very tough."
The fifth set began with an impressive James Madison attack that generated kill after kill providing them with a 10-3 lead. The young Lady Mocs squad never gave up during the match and earned the win in dramatic fashion.
"We changed our game plan towards the end," said Rhodes. "I said that we are going to pull our block in. If they hit it down the line and generate kills, then they that is alright because we were getting beat with too many balls cross court that we were not digging out. I think that coaching move really helped because they were so excited with the line being open that the hit the ball out."
Freshman outside hitter Heather Parman notched a season-high 21 kills and 12 digs for her first career double-double. Many of Parman's kills came at crucial times when the Lady Mocs needed a point.
"Heather was very impressive for a freshman," said Rhodes. "I think Heather was a huge surprise today in coming up with big kills towards the end of the game. She is just going to get better and better."
Just as impressive was the consistent play of junior middle blocker Courtney Barnes who posted 16 kills and a .536 attacking percentage. The Franklin, Tenn. native also contributed with six total blocks.
In a combined setting effort, junior Bailee Chastain and senior Cassie Conner helped the Chattanooga offense with 50 total assists. Defensively, Freshman Paula Passmore led the squad with 15 digs.
In the opening set, the Lady Mocs jumped out to an 8-3 lead early recording a 25-20. Chattanooga hit the ball even bettering the second set posting a .382 attack percentage and 16 kills as a team.
During the third set, UTC recorded another 16 kills, but were unable to contain the Dukes who won the frame, 25-22. James Madison took the fourth set 25-20 sending the match to a decisive fifth game primarily due to the Lady Mocs committing eight costly errors.
Overall, Chattanooga posted a season best .313 attacking percentage and 67 kills.
The two all-tournament performers were vital to the Lady Mocs victoryies against James Madison and East Tennesse State. Parman played only in six sets and two matches on the weekend and posted 23 kills and 15 digs. Among one of the most consistent players in the tournament, Barnes generated 35 kills, a .459 attacking percentage and 10 total blocks during the three tournament matches.
Chattanooga has a chance to prepare itself for the remainder of the season with an off weekend before traveling to Tennessee State on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m.
The first home contest for the Lady Mocs is the Country Inn & Suites Invitational on Sept. 11 against Austin Peay at 7:30 p.m. in Maclellan Gym. Loyola (Ill.) and SIU-Edwardsville are also apart of the two-day event.
Comfort Inn & Suites Volleyball Classic All-Tournament Team
Kelly Turner, James Madison
Heather Parman, Chattanooga
Courtney Barnes, Chattanooga
Amanda Youell, East Tennessee State
Holly Evans, Morehead State
Kaitlin Craven, Morehead State
MVP: Kirstie Brangers, Morehead State
Chattanooga def. James Madison 25-20,25-19,22-25,19-25,15-13
Chattanooga (2-1) (Kills-aces-blocks) - PARMAN, Heather 21-0-1;
BARNES, Courtney 16-0-6; KUHN, Ellie 8-0-3; BEASLEY, Kirsten 6-0-0;
SCOTT, Jessica 5-0-4; HARVILLE, Stephanie 5-0-4; BROCK, Laura 4-0-1;
CHASTAIN, Bailee 2-2-1; CONNER, Cassie 0-1-0; PASSMORE, Paula 0-1-0;
Totals 67-4-11.0. (Assists) - CONNER, Cassie 27; CHASTAIN, Bailee 23.
(Dig leaders) - PASSMORE, Paula 15; PARMAN, Heather 12
James Madison (1-2) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Erb, Danielle 17-2-6; Wall,
Holly 12-2-0; Turner, Kelly 9-3-1; Zeroual, Jessica 9-0-5; Callahan,
Lindsay 9-0-2; Fanelli, Lauren 2-0-1; Jacobsen, Haley 1-0-1;
Wiechmann, Megan 0-2-1; Totals 59-9-9.0. (Assists) - Wiechmann, Megan
29; Fanelli, Lauren 17. (Dig leaders) - Abel, Natalie 17; Wall, Holly
9; Erb, Danielle 9
Site: Morehead, Ky. (Wetherby)
Date: Aug 29, 2009 Attend: 117 Time: 2:06
Referees: Dave Mabe, Steven Schneider
