NASHVILLE, Tenn. (September 19, 2025) – The Chattanooga Mocs volleyball team opened the weekend with a heartbreaking 3-2 (18-25, 27-25, 25-14, 24-26, 15-13) defeat to Indiana State on Friday afternoon during non-conference action within the Tiger Invitational in Nashville.
 
Quick Records/Series
Chattanooga: 4-6 (L1)
Indiana State: 6-6 (W3)
Series: Indiana State leads the all-time series 2-0.

Match Notables

• Chattanooga finished the match -13 in the total kills category (68-55); out-hit .269 - .228 while taking eight less attacks. ISU concluded the fifth set on a 5-1 scoring run after UTC held a 12-10 lead.
• Both teams recorded 11 service aces in the match while combing for 15 service errors (UTC 8, ISU 7).
• Sydney Jackwin and Kynli Kirkendoll each recorded 12 kills during the defeat; Caiti Barthel posted a match-high 23 digs.

 
Indiana State 3, Chattanooga 2
Set 1 – UTC 25, ISU 18 (UTC 1-0)

• Chattanooga jumped out to a fast 7-1 lead in the first eight points to build a six-point edge.
• Indiana State fought back to pull within two as late as 15-13 before UTC responded with five of the next six points to take a 20-14 lead and eventually close things out, 25-18.
• UTC out-hit ISU .344 - .188 in the set; forced five ISU attacking errors while committing just one.

 
Set 2 – ISU 27, UTC 25 (Tied 1-1)

• The two teams went back-and-forth for much of the early stages in the second set before ISU eventually created a 14-10 lead.
• UTC scored the next four to tie the set 14-14 eventually leading to a 22-22 tie down the stretch. UTC fought off a pair of ISU set points before the Sycamores eventually claimed a 27-25 win.
• ISU forced six UTC attacking errors while out-hitting in efficiency, .234 - .140.

 
Set 3 – ISU 25, UTC 14 (ISU 2-1)

• After UTC and ISU traded the first 10 points of the set, it was all Sycamores as the squad built a lead as large as 12 before closing things out with an 11-point decision, 25-14.
• ISU recorded 16 kills at a .484 clip; UTC held to seven kills at a .222 mark; five aces from ISU.

 
Set 4 – UTC 26, ISU 24 (Tied 2-2)

• In a must win set for the Mocs, UTC broke away from a 7-7 tie with seven of the next nine points to create a 14-9 advantage.
• The Sycamores rallied to tie the set 17-17 before the Mocs landed on set point at 24-21. ISU scored three-straight points to tie the set 24-24, but Finley Hilliard forced the deciding fifth set with an ace as UTC claimed a 26-24 win.
• UTC recorded six aces in the set including a career-high three from Hilliard.

 
Set 5 – ISU 15, UTC 13 (ISU wins 3-2)

• With momentum on its side, Chattanooga scored seven of the first 10 points in the fifth set to claim a quick 7-3 lead. UTC was the first to double digits while holding a 10-7 edge.
• Trailing 12-10, ISU rattled off three-straight points to take a late 13-12 lead before eventually allowing UTC to tie the set 13-13. The Sycamores used a Kira Holland kill and a Mocs error in consecutive rallies to clinch the match behind a 15-13 set victory.
• ISU ended the match on the 5-1 scoring run; recorded four kills during the stretch.

 
Up Next
Chattanooga closes out play at the Tiger Invitational in Nashville with a pair of Saturday matches, first facing Idaho at Noon ET before closing out with host Tennessee State at 4 p.m. ET. Live stats are available with links located on the schedule page.

Follow Chattanooga Volleyball
Follow @GoMocsVB on Twitter and @GoMocsVolleyball on Instagram for the most up-to-date information and news regarding Chattanooga volleyball.

Buy officially licensed gear in our online store. The Mocs can also be followed on their official Facebook page or on Twitter. Find out how to join the UTC Mocs Club and support more than 300 student-athletes by clicking here. Check out the Mocs on the Mic podcast here.