ELON, N.C. - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga volleyball team dropped its match at Elon in straight sets, 3-0, in Alumni Gym. Junior outside Heather Parman (Ootlewah, Tenn.) registered a match-high 13 kills, while sophomore outside Jennifer Kuroski (Acworth, Ga.) paced the contest with 14 digs.

"When Heather swings for kills and stays aggressive, she can be our most consistent attacker." Said head coach Travis Filar. "Those are the type of nights that she has had recently for us, which has helped to pick up our offense."

Contributing seven kills each for Chattanooga (5-23, 3-10 SoCon) was junior middle blocker Christina Teter (Signal Mountain, Tenn.) and Kuroski. The offense was run by sophomore setter Bridget Camacho (Cumming, Ga.), who tallied 31 assists at Elon (16-13, 5-9 SoCon)

Freshman libero Melissa Green (Boca Raton, Fla.) added 11 digs for the Mocs during the contest.

Leading the Phoenix was Celia Eddy with 11 kills and Danielle Smith with nine. The duo of Meagan McMahon and Nickie Halbert combined to total 44 assists. Alie Deatch paced the defense with 13 digs.

In the first set, the teams traded the first 17 points before Elon stretched its lead to four. An ace from the service line by Parman brought the Mocs to within two, 15-13, but the Phoenix would go on to build a 24-20 lead. 

Following a kill by Kuroski, a service ace by Teter and a kill by Parman the Mocs fought back to within win one before Elon closed out the frame, 25-23.

The Mocs opened the second set with a 5-2 lead as Teter, Kuroski and Parman each tallied a kill and the duo of Christie and Camacho registered a block. Three-straight kills helped Chattanooga build a 10-8 advantage, but Elon would tie it at 10.

Then, the teams traded points until Elon appeared to take control of the frame with a 20-17 lead, but the Mocs would fight back to knot the score at 23-all by taking advantage of mistakes and a service ace and kill by Parman. Back-to-back kills for the Phoenix clinched the second set, 25-23.

"The second set we were in control for a good chunk and just couldn't finish it," said Filar. "Earlier on in the year, we were in some close sets. We just had players that weren't stepping up and making plays. Tonight was different because we lacked focus and discipline at the end when we needed to it, which is the most important time to be focused and disciplined."

During the third set, Elon's offense started strong as it rallied to a 14-4 advantage and easily finished off the frame and match, 25-13.

"We told the student-athletes that eventough our main goal heading into the season of going to the SoCon Tournament is now out of reach," said Filar. "We are still going to work hard to get better and start setting the tone for this spring. It is a process of getting better and building the program."

Chattanooga returns to Maclellan Gym for the final two matches of the season hosting Appalachian State and Western Carolina. The match with the Mountaineers is set for 7 p.m., while the Catamounts come to the Scenic City on Sunday at 3 p.m.