The Chattanooga Mocs volleyball team beat The Citadel 3-1 on Senior Night with a big crowd in Maclellan Gym Friday. Seniors Julimar Alvarado (San Juan, Puerto Rico), Sarah Batterton (Colbert, Wash.), Catherine Chason (Alpharetta, Ga.), Lauren Gainer (Boca Raton, Fla.) and Briana Reid (Houston, Texas) were honored before the match.

"The seniors went out and played well to lead our team to a victory," head coach Travis Filar stated. "They're such an amazing group, and I don't want this season to end for them. With their hard work, their belief in how we do things, and the culture we've established, they have allowed this program to rise."

Extending its home winning streak to 12, UTC improves to 21-5 and 10-3 in Southern Conference action. The squad is tied with Furman and UNCG for first in the SoCon standings. Chattanooga hasn't reached over 20 wins in a season since 1999.

"Senior Night is always going to bring different emotions and a different environment in the gym," explained Filar. "We came out really strong, and then in the middle of the set, that emotion came back, and The Citadel put a lot of pressure on us."

UTC dropped the first 25-23. Despite being down a set and 23-21, the Mocs battled back to win four straight points to clinch the second. UTC dominated the final two sets, winning the third 25-16 and Alvarado capping off the fourth with a kill at 25-14.

"After weathering the emotions and getting it to 1-1, it was an amazing fight and amazing comeback in the second set," Filar said. "That really brought our team back to life."

Seniors Batterton and Reid and junior Kristy Wieser (Lincoln, Neb.) tied for 14 kills.

This match was Reid's eighth double-double of the season, adding 10 digs. Sophomore Lauren Greenspoon (Houston, Texas) posted her seventh double-double with 55 assists and 12 digs.

Gainer totaled seven blocks, five assists and two solos. Freshman Miranda Elpers (Louisville, Ky.) tallied 19 digs, while Chason recorded 17, in addition to two service aces.

"Tonight was definitely the biggest crowd we've had this year," stated Filar. "I hope they're back tomorrow night. When we were on the winning sides of those great rallies, our players could really feel the energy and the confidence from playing well in front of so many people."

Saturday is the last home match in Maclellan Gym of the 2015-16 season. The Mocs face Furman at 6:00 p.m. in a battle for first place.

Live stats and video links can be found on the volleyball schedule page at GoMocs.com.