The Chattanooga Mocs begin Southern Conference play against UNCG Friday at 6 p.m. (E.D.T.) and Western Carolina Saturday at 6 p.m. UTC is on a seven-match winning streak improving to 11-2 overall.

"We're finding different ways to win," coach Travis Filar stated. "We have different student-athletes stepping up in different moments and making plays. That's giving us a lot of momentum and confidence going into the first conference weekend."

This is the best start for the Mocs since 1986 when the team opened 12-1.

Chattanooga leads the league in assists per set (13.23), digs per set (16.64), hitting percentage (.270) and kills per set (13.96), boasting national rankings in those categories.

"We have opportunities to do things we've never done or haven't done in a very long time," explained Filar. "Our focus has really been to take each day at a time, and that will give us a chance to win a lot of conference matches."

The squad is coming off a sweep at the Hokie Invitational against Liberty (3-0), Virginia Tech (3-2) and Middle Tennessee (3-1).

UTC's win over Virginia Tech was the first victory against a "Power 5" school since Sept. 18, 2004 when the team beat North Carolina State 3-2. The Hokies own a 3-1 win at then-No. 19 Michigan State this season.

"We feel like whoever is across the net, we have a fighting chance," said Filar.

Seniors Lauren Gainer (Boca Raton, Fla.) and Briana Reid (Houston, Texas) made it on the Hokie Invitational All-Tournament Team, in addition to sophomore Lauren Greenspoon (Houston, Texas) as the Most Outstanding Player.

Greenspoon earned SoCon Offensive Player of the Week for Sept. 14-20. She totaled 172 assists over four matches for an 11.47 average per set. As of Monday, the setter leads the conference and is ranked 22nd among all NCAA Division I players in assists per set (11.23).

"For a lack of a better word, Lauren's 'quarterbacking' our offense and doing a great job of putting our hitters in positions to be successful," stated Filar.

UNCG is 10-5 and coming off an 0-3 weekend. Chattanooga and the Spartans have two common opponents, Liberty and Eastern Kentucky. UNCG dropped a three-set match to the Flames Aug. 28, whereas the Mocs beat Liberty 3-0 last Friday. UNCG won a 3-2 match over the Colonels on Sept. 4, while UTC beat EKU 3-0 Aug. 29. The Spartans' sophomore outside hitter Ashley Muench leads the squad with 181 kills and was nominated as SoCon Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 14. Katherine Santiago, a senior defensive specialist, racked up 235 digs. As of Monday, she was ranked No. 73 nationally for digs per set with 4.61.

Western Carolina has a 6-10 record after going 1-2 last weekend at the Golden Eagle Invitational. The Catamounts posted a win over Idaho with losses to Tennessee Tech and Towson. Senior libero Elyssa Mulheron was honored as the SoCon Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 7. She leads the team with 276 digs, averaging 4.60 a set. Katie O'Connor, a sophomore middle blocker, racked up 104 kills and 48 blocks. She has the third best hitting percentage in the league with a .365.

Live stats are available for both matches. The match against Western Carolina is set to have live video. Links can be found on the volleyball schedule page at GoMocs.com.

Chattanooga hits the road Sept. 29 to face Wofford in Spartanburg, S.C. The Mocs return home to play Mercer in Maclellan Gym Oct. 2