MACON, Ga. --- The Mocs volleyball closed out their weekend with a tough loss to Mercer on Sunday, as Chattanooga failed to pick up a set in the Bears 3-0 victory over the Mocs in Macon.

The Mocs (15-8, 3-5 SoCon) put together a much better performance compared to their 3-0 scoreline from two days ago in Birmingham, but despite UTC keeping multiple sets tight with the Bears (9-9, 5-2 SoCon) it was ultimately Mercer that came out on top to close out the match.

To start the match, the Mocs fell behind early to a Mercer team that had played exceptionally well throughout conference play this season, as the Bears were able to jump ahead 18-11 on the Mocs. From that point, though, UTC was able to chip away at Mercer's lead and even fend off multiple set points for the Bears to make the scoreboard read 24-24. However, even after a 13-6 Chattanooga run the Bears were able to close the set out 26-24 to take the opening frame.

After a heartbreaking loss in the opening set, the Mocs fell victim to a powerful offensive performance by Mercer in the second set. Relying heavily on Skyler Bumpers and Kylee Quigley, the Bears rolled through the second to take it 25-17, giving Mercer a 2-0 lead.

The Mocs were in danger of being swept as they entered the third, and as a result were throwing everything they had Mercer's way. The teams exchanged blows, with the largest lead for either team never reaching more than four. With the score tied at 22-22, the Mocs needed a big finish to force the fourth frame. Unfortunately for UTC that finish wouldn't come, as Mercer closed out set three with a 25-23 win, claiming the 3-0 sweep over the Mocs.

Morgan Romano provided a team-high 12 kills in UTC's loss alongside Halle Olson finishing the day with a season-high nine kills too. Setter Elaine Redman led the team in both assists (32) and digs (15) to end the match with a double-double while Paige Gallentine also logged double-digit digs with 13.

UP NEXT
UTC is now at the midpoint of a four-match road stand for the team, as the Mocs are now set to travel to South Carolina to take on a pair of difficult SoCon teams. The Mocs will first be tasked with facing Wofford (15-4, 6-2 SoCon) in Spartanburg on Friday at 6 p.m. ET, before heading to Charleston to take on undefeated The Citadel (20-0, 8-0 SoCon) on their home court on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.

50 SEASONS OF CHATTANOOGA VOLLEYBALL
The 2023 season for the Chattanooga Mocs volleyball team marks a major landmark for the program and the university, as UTC volleyball officially celebrates its 50th season of competition as a university sponsored athletic program. Following the adoption of the Title IX legislation back in 1972, UTC added women's basketball, tennis, and volleyball programs to its roster of athletic teams, bringing on five decades of history for each of the teams.

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