CHATTANOOGA (August 28, 2025) – The wait is officially over. The Chattanooga Mocs volleyball team opens the 2025 season with three total matches at the UCF Tournament held at The Venue at UCF in Orlando, Fla., this Friday and Saturday.
 
Chattanooga's opening match is set for 11 a.m. (ET) on Friday morning against Norfolk State before closing out the day with a primetime matchup against host UCF at 7 p.m. (ET). The Mocs conclude its weekend of play with a Noon (ET) contest against UC Riverside.
 
All three matches this weekend will be broadcasted LIVE on ESPN+ through the Watch ESPN platforms. Live stats are also available with links located on the schedule page.
 
UCF Tournament Details
Friday, August 29
11:00AM – Chattanooga (0-0) vs. Norfolk State (0-0)
Links – Watch ∙ Live Stats
 
7:00PM – Chattanooga at UCF (0-0)
Links – Watch ∙ Live Stats
 
Saturday, August 30
12:00PM – Chattanooga vs. UC Riverside
Links – Watch ∙ Live Stats
 
Chattanooga Game Notes ∙ View
Opening Weekend in Orlando
Chattanooga opens the 2025 season at the UCF Invitational in Orlando, Fla., running from August 29-30 with matchups against Norfolk State, UC Riverside and host UCF.
 
Preseason Predictions
Chattanooga was picked to finish fifth in the Preseason Southern Conference Coaches Poll while sophomore middle blocker Kynli Kirkendoll was named to the preseason all-league team, the lone Mocs representation on the squad.
 
Kirkendoll's Rookie Campaign
Kirkendoll, a SoCon All-Freshman last year, finished the season with a team-high 101.0 total blocks and .341 attack percentage while ranking third in kills with 210. Kirkendoll's .341 attack percentage in 2024 was the fourth-best total in single-season program history & the best by a Mocs freshman. Her 32 solo blocks were the most by a Moc since 1999.
 
First Weekend Success
Chattanooga has had great success in its past two season-opening weekends of the 2023 and 2024 campaigns. The Mocs have played to a 6-1 record in its past two opening weekends, going a perfect 3-0 at the Georgia State Invitational in 2023 before finishing 3-1 at the Betty Austin Invitational (Alabama A&M) last season.
 
Chattanooga 2025 Season Outlook
Chattanooga, who finished 17-15 overall in 2024, will look to replace 11 letterwinners from last year's squad while welcoming back nine from the letterwinner category. The Mocs and head coach Julie Torbett Thomas, who enters her fourth season at UTC in 2025, welcome seven newcomers to this year's campaign.
 
Key Returners: Senior OH Sydney Jackwin and sophomore MB Kynli Kirkendoll. The duo accounted for 674.5 points last season as Jackwin ranked second on the team in kills (353) while Kirkendoll led in blocks (101.0). Junior DS/L Caiti Barthel totaled 179 digs and 15 service aces, appearing in 31 matches and 113 sets.
 
Additional Returners: Sophomore S Mallory Merz (7 MP); Sophomore OH Elena Vukmanov (3 MP); Senior S Chiara Napoli (13 MP; 28 assists); Sophomore RS Destiny Wiggins (redshirt); Sophomore DS/L Finley Hilliard (9 MP); Sophomore OH Gracie Rose (12 MP).
 
Key Transfer Newcomers: Redshirt junior MB Bailey Burgess (Old Dominion); Senior OH/RS Kendyl MacAskill (Azusa Pacific); Redshirt junior MB Laila N'Diaye (Florida State); Junior S Ashley Reynolds (Florida State); Sophomore DS/L Jazeli Vandenburgh (USF).
 
Additional Newcomers: Freshman OH Addison Walker (Gardner-Webb); Freshman MB Jordin Glass (Davidson Day HS).
 
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