CHATTANOOGA --- The Chattanooga Mocs volleyball program is set for its 2019 home-opening weekend, this Friday and Saturday, by hosting the annual Chattanooga Classic inside Maclellan Gymnasium. Admission is FREE.
 
Manhattan (MAAC), North Alabama (ASUN) and in-state foe Tennessee Tech (OVC) will be traveling to the Scenic City to join UTC as tournament participants this weekend.
 
Chattanooga (2-5) looks to snap a four-match skid after jumping out to a 2-1 start to this year's campaign. The Mocs look to continue its strong fight through some early-season injuries. The fight and response is one that head coach Travis Filar has liked from this group, especially after entering last weekend's action without a primary setter.
 
"We had to make a choice and I think our kids rallied around that. The fact that playing and competing in volleyball at a high level without a setter is challenging, it's like playing football without a quarterback. We asked Bailey [Bennett] and Vic [Cerino] to step up and put us in a system that could give us success and we definitely experienced some.

"We found ways to take a set in two different matches, and looking back that's even more impressive to me and I think that shows our kid's toughness to do what's necessary and compete at a high level," said Filar.
 
UTC looks to defend its Chattanooga Classic title after claiming last year's top spot behind a 3-0 weekend including a five-set thriller over North Alabama in the championship match. Dani Szczepanski was named last year's Most Outstanding Player.

"We're really excited to host the tournament this weekend and being at home for the first time this weekend. I'm excited to see our kid's response and continued work, we're excited to be home," concluded Filar.
 
Complete tournament information including important fan and parking details are below.
 
CLASSIC SCHEDULE | TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
Friday, September 13
11 a.m. – Manhattan vs. Tenn. Tech
3 p.m. – No. Alabama vs. Manhattan
6 p.m. – CHATTANOOGA vs. Tenn. Tech (SoCon Digital Network)*
Saturday, September 14
11 a.m. – CHATTANOOGA vs. Manhattan (SoCon Digital Network)*
2 p.m. – Tenn. Tech vs. No. Alabama
6 p.m. – CHATTANOOGA vs. No. Alabama (SoCon Digital Network)*
*links will be available on the schedule page
 
FAN INFORMATION
- Admission is FREE. All matches will be played inside Maclellan Gymnasium (600 Douglas Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403).
- All UTC home events require fans to follow the 'Clear Bag Policy' in regards to prohibited items. More information on the policy's guidelines can be found HERE.
 
PARKING INFORMATION | MAP
- Due to a large event inside McKenzie Arena on Friday evening, fans who plan to attend PRIOR to 5 p.m. ET can park in the 5^th Street Parking Garage (Lot 31) for a fee of $5.00. If you choose this option, you will receive a 'fee notice' on your car after you have parked. You will simply need to follow instructions on the notice to submit payment.
- Fans who plan to park AFTER 5 p.m. ET on Friday, can park FREE in campus parking lots #10, #15 and #30.
- Parking for Saturday's action will be FREE across all campus lots.
 
CHATTANOOGA QUICK HITS | MATCH NOTES
- Chattanooga looks to snap a four-match skid after opening up the season 2-1 at the StarkVegas Classic… enters with a 12-3 record in Chattanooga Classic matches since 2014… two titles during that span… defending champs after downing UNA in five sets last season.
- Junior L/DS Megan Kaufman surpassed 1,000 career digs at last weekend's Troy Invitational… has totaled 1,020 digs in 237 sets since 2017 (4.30/set).
- Senior MB Dani Szczepanski appeared in her 100^th career match in Saturday's match against Jacksonville… in 352 career sets she has totaled 256.0 total blocks which currently ranks 10^th all-time at UTC… has racked up 730 career kills at an even .300 attacking percentage… career attack percentage sits 4^th all-time.
- Junior OH/DS specialist Bailey Bennett earned Troy Invitational All-Tournament honors last weekend after stepping up as a setter for the first time in her playing career at any level of the sport… finished with 50 assists and 24 digs in 11 sets… notched her first career double-double with 33 assists and 11 digs against Jacksonville.

OPPONENT NOTES
- Tennessee Tech enters the Classic looking for its first win of the 2019 season after facing a tough stretch of matches to open up the year… last four matches came against 2018 NCAA Tournament participants including No. 15 Michigan and No. 24 Louisville… defeated UTC last year, 3-1.
- Manhattan has played to a 2-4 mark so far this season… defeated the likes of Delaware State and Lafayette last week at the Crosstown Tournament (hosted by Lehigh and Lafayette)… first ever meeting against UTC… freshman DS Elizabeth Case returns to her hometown after graduating from Baylor HS last year.
- North Alabama returns to the Chattanooga Classic for the second-straight year… dropped the title match to UTC in a five-set thriller last season… enters with a 1-5 record in 2019… second full season competing as an NCAA DI program in the ASUN conference.

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