JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (September 27) — The Chattanooga Mocs volleyball team dropped a heart-breaking five-set match to in-state rival ETSU, 3-2 (25-21, 21-25, 25-15, 19-25, 16-14), on Saturday afternoon inside Brooks Gymnasium in Johnson City.


After trailing 3-1 in the match and ultimately forcing a fifth set, Chattanooga continued its momentum and found themselves leading 14-11 in the winner-take-all frame. The Bucs erased all three of UTC's match point opportunities and capped off the victory on a 5-0 scoring run.

Records
Chattanooga: 7-7, 1-1 SoCon
ETSU: 8-5, 2-0 SoCon
 
Match Notables
- After last night's win, the split on SoCon opening weekend marks the first for the program since 2017... first 1-1 or better start since 2022.
- ETSU committed 15 service errors during the match compared to Chattanooga's three... Bucs collected 10 aces to offset the miscues while UTC only recorded two (both Ashley Reynolds).
- ETSU ended the match in the fifth set on a 5-0 scoring run... UTC took a 14-11 lead in the fifth before ETSU made its surge.

Quotable - HC Julie Torbett Thomas
"We played so well. It's tough to lose when you are so close, but we won in so many ways. I saw a team that was willing to fight for each other and lay it all on the court. A team that hurt when it was over that they came up short. It was a huge leap for our program and I am very proud of them.
 
Match Flow - Recap
As the opening set progressed, the Mocs capitalized on ETSU's attack errors and maintained momentum with key kills by Kynli Kirkendoll and Laila N'Diaye, tying the score multiple times. The Mocs continued to apply pressure, with significant contributions from Kendyl MacAskill and Ashley Reynolds. Despite this effort, ETSU managed to pull ahead late as kills from Sophia Davis and Whitley Rammel secured the set 25-21.
 
In the second set Sydney Jackwin and Kirkendoll led a defensive surge with blocks, contributing to a series of Bucs attack errors and allowing the Mocs to build an early 7-3 advantage. ETSU attempted to close the gap, but  kills from Jackwin and Jordin Glass maintained Chattanooga's edge. The set saw both teams exchanging points, but the Mocs attack stood consistent to capture a 25-21 finish.
 
In the third, ETSU established early momentum with a service ace from Brianna Cantrell before UTC countered with key kills from Glass and Jackwin, narrowing the gap. Despite Chattanooga's efforts, including blocks by Glass and Chiara Napoli, ETSU took advantage of a few Mocs attacking errors. ETSU continued to extend their lead and capped off a 25-15 decision.
 
Chattanooga began the fourth set with a surge, quickly establishing a 5-0 lead with Reynolds contributing a service ace and an assist to Bailey Burgess for a kill. ETSU managed to counter and briefly tied the score at 5-5, but the Mocs regained control through key plays, including a kill by Kirkendoll, to edge ahead 10-9. As the set progressed, UTC capitalized on ETSU errors and strong offensive plays from Kendyl MacAskill and Jackwin, expanding their advantage to 21-16. The Mocs continued to exploit the Bucs errors and seal the set 25-19.
 
In the fifth, The Mocs gained a brief edge with a block from Kirkendoll and Napoli, leading to a 7-6 advantage. The Mocs took a 14-11 lead down the stretch before ETSU capitalized on a pair of attack errors by Chattanooga to tie the score 14-14. ETSU then secured the next two rallies for a 16-14 win.
 
Chattanooga Top Performers 
Sydney Jackwin 
- 18 kills; 13 digs; 3.0 blocks; 19.5 points 
 
Ashley Reynolds 
- 31 assists; 17 digs; 2 service aces 
 
Kynli Kirkendoll 
- 10 kills (.444 hitting percentage); 6.0 blocks; 13 points 
 
Jordin Glass 
- 5 kills (.300 hitting percentage); 6.0 six blocks; 8.0 points 
 
Up Next
Chattanooga will host UNCG on Friday, October 3 inside Maclellan Gymnasium. First serve is slated for 6 p.m. (ET).

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