CHATTANOOGA – The Chattanooga Mocs' indoor volleyball team concluded action at the Chattanooga Classic on Saturday with losses to Virginia Tech and Troy inside Maclellan Gym.

MATCH 1: VIRGINIA TECH 3, CHATTANOOGA 2  
SET 1 ∙ VT 25, UTC 21
SET 2 ∙ UTC 25, VT 17
SET 3 ∙ UTC 27, VT 25
SET 4 ∙ VT 25, UTC 14
SET 5 ∙ VT 15, UTC 11

The first set was back and forth with neither team holding more than a four-point advantage until the Hokies went up 16-12 in the middle of the frame. The Mocs came close, getting within two points of the Hokies, but were never able to retake the lead. The Hokies put the set away with their 14^th kill of the match. VT used a balanced attack in the opening frame with five different players recording multiple kills. Gylian Finch posted three kills, tied for a match high after the first.

UTC began the second set in dominant fashion, taking a 10-1 lead and never looking back. The Blue and Gold used back-to-back blocks to start the frame and three aces to help extend their early lead. The Mocs held a commanding lead throughout most of the set until the Hokies got within six at 21-15, forcing a UTC timeout. The hosts used three kills from Maia Rackel to take the set, 25-17.

Virginia Tech held a slim lead throughout the third set, no longer than three points. The Blue and Gold tied the set for the first time at 18. The two teams exchanged the next few points until the match was tied again at 22. The Mocs won the next two points with kills from Aleya Kennedy and Rackel. VT battled back, winning the next three to hold a set point of their own. After a UTC timeout, the Hokies served the next point into the net and the frame was tied at 25. The Mocs used a kill from Sophia Bossong and a block from Kennedy and Bossong to win the third.

The Hokies controlled the fourth set as it was the only one not to feature any ties or lead changes. After holding a seven-point lead at 14-7 the visitors never looked back, taking the set, 25-14. VT hit a match-best .414 in the set with Marisa Cerchio leading the way for the team with four kills in the frame. Rackel hit .556 with five kills in the fourth for the Mocs.

In the deciding set, Virginia Tech held the first three-point lead up 7-4. UTC was unable to build a comeback as the Hokies took the match with a 15-11 fifth set victory.

Rackel led the match with 17 kills while Coniah Davis joined her in double figures. Davis' 10 kills are a season best for the sophomore. Davis added five block assists, while Rackel completed her first career double-double with 11 digs.

Finch was third on the squad with seven kills and was one of five Mocs with 11 or more digs. Freshman setter, Abby Ekeler, joined finch with 11 digs and added 16 assists, splitting the setting duties with Bossong. Bossong led the team with 21 digs and capped off a 20-20 performance with 20 assists.

Defensively, Marcelle Baez-Carlo continued her dominance at the net with eight blocks. Finch, Baez-Carlo and Paige Gallentine all slotted two aces.

The Mocs out blocked the Hokies 12-11, while both teams had eight aces. VT outhit the hosts .153-.088. 

Notes

• Bossong's 21 digs marked a career high. Her previous career-best was 16.
• This is the second time this season four or more Mocs had 10+ digs (Western Illinois). It is the first time five or more players have accomplished that feat.
• Ekeler set a career-best with 16 assists in her second match of the season.
• Second-year freshman, Chloe Bryan, saw the floor for the first time this season and posted five kills and two blocks.
• UTC falls to 1-2 in five setters.

MATCH 2, TROY 3, CHATTANOOGA 1  
SET 1 ∙ TROY 25, UTC 11
SET 2 ∙ TROY 25, UTC 15
SET 3 ∙ UTC 28, TROY 26
SET 4 ∙ TROY 25, UTC 17

Troy had a two-point advantage, up 10-8 and went on the biggest run a UTC opponent has had this season. The Trojans scored 12 of the next 13 points to take a 22-9 lead. Troy took the opening set 25-11 while hitting .435.  

Like the beginning of the first set was, the second set started off tight. UTC was down 9-8 as the Trojans went on another run. With the same server, Natalie Hummel behind the line, she served five straight points to give the Trojans a 14-9 advantage, forcing a UTC
timeout. The Mocs were never able to reach the Troy lead as Troy took the fourth 25-15.

The Trojans had an early lead in the third, up 9-4. The Mocs battled back, tying the set at 15. After nearly exchanging points throughout the remainder of the set, the Trojans had match point up 25-24. UTC battled, fending off two match points and took the set with a block from MacKenzie Saitta and Kennedy.

Troy took a 6-5 lead in the fourth frame and never looked back. The Trojans hit just .200 in the set, but limited UTC to a .044 clip to take the set and the match.

Rackel led the squad with 11 kills, while Kennedy added six and six block assists.

UTC recorded 10 blocks compared to Troy's 12.

Notes

• UTC hit a season-low .066.
• The match featured 19 ties and 11 lead changes.
• Troy led the match with 11 aces.
• Davis hit a match-high .667 with eight kills on 12 swings without an error.

Maia Rackel was named to the Chattanooga Classic All-Tournament Team.

Records – CHATTANOOGA (3-6) | TTU (4-3) | TROY (4-4)

Up next
The Mocs head to the Southern Miss Invitational hosted by Southern Miss next weekend. The first match for UTC is Friday at 11 a.m. EST vs. Lamar.
MORE ABOUT CHATTANOOGA VOLLEYBALL
Watch "Mission First, Family Always" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8mOmxbzHk4&t=2s
Read "Mission First, Family Always" here: https://gomocs.com/news/2019/9/27/general-chatt-chats-mission-first-family-always.aspx?path=general

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