CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The wait is over as Chattanooga Volleyball returns to the court tomorrow to begin its 2026 regular season slate. The Mocs are hosting the annual Chattanooga Classic with Tennessee State, Valparaiso, and UAB all coming to the Scenic City to kick off the new season. 

There will be three matches on Friday and Saturday, beginning at noon on both days. All of the Chattanooga matches will be on streamed on ESPN+ while the non-Chattanooga matches will have live stats available. Admission is free for all to attend throughout the weekend in Maclellan Gym. The full schedule with game links is copied below. 

Friday, Aug. 28
12 PM: UAB vs. Valpo (Live Stats)
3 PM: UTC vs. TSU (ESPN+ Stream) (Live Stats)
6 PM: UTC vs. Valpo (ESPN+ Stream) (Live Stats) 

Saturday, Aug. 29
12 PM: UAB vs. TSU (Live Stats)
3 PM: Valpo vs. TSU (Live Stats)
6 PM: UTC vs. UAB (ESPN+ Stream) (Live Stats)

Series History Notes
Chattanooga has played all three of its opponents before, led by 13 career matches against Tennessee State, holding a 10-3 record in those matches. The Mocs have losing records against Valparaiso (0-2) and UAB (2-7). That being said, Chattanooga has won two a row in the series against the Blazers. UTC also holds a two-match winning streak against Tennessee State. 

Tennessee State
All-Time .................................................................10-3
Last Meeting ..............................W, 3-0, Sept.. 20, 2025
Last Win .....................................W, 3-0, Sept.. 20, 2025
Streak .......................................................................W2
UTC at home .............................................................6-1 

Valparaiso
All-Time ...................................................................0-2
Last Meeting .................................L, 2-3, Aug. 28, 2015
Last Win ..................................................................N/A
Streak .........................................................................L2
UTC at home .............................................................0-1 

UAB
All-Time ...................................................................2-7
Last Meeting ...............................W, 3-1, Sept. 11, 2015
Last Win ......................................W, 3-1, Sept. 11, 2015
Streak .......................................................................W2
UTC at home .............................................................1-3

Chattanooga Classic Facts
UTC has won six titles in total since the event's start in 2007. Valpo is appearing in the Classic for the second time, winning the tournament in 2015. TSU is playing in the classic for the third time and first time since 2024. This will be UAB's first time playing in the Classic. Cincinatti was last year's champions.

First Weekend Success
Chattanooga has had great success in its past three season-opening weekends of the 2023, 2024, and 2025 campaigns. The Mocs have played to an 8-2 record in its past three opening weekends. UTC opened last season at the UCF Tournament, going 2-1 with wins against Norfolk State and UC Riverside.

About The Mocs
Chattanooga is coached by Julie Torbett Thomas (Penn State '90), who is starting her fifth year with the Blue and Gold. She holds a 69-58 record and has led UTC to four consecutive winning seasons for the just the second time in program history. The other being six in a row from 1996-2001. 

The Mocs bring back 12 players from last year's team. Defensively, Caiti Barthel, who led the SoCon in digs with 548, as well as Kynli Kirkendoll who led the Mocs with 108 total blocks. On the attack, Gracie Rose with 271 kills and Kirkendoll with 222 kills are UTC's leading returners. Ashley Reynolds at the setter position is back for Chattanooga as well, leading the team with 654 assists in 2025. Additionally, sophomore Jordin Glass is looking to build off her SoCon All-Freshman campaign last year where she tallied 133 kills and 88 total blocks. 

Chattanooga has added five new faces to the 2026 team, with four transferring in, and one coming from high school. Those players are copied below. 

- Ryan Oden (So.), Florham Park, N.J., MTSU, DS/L, 5-8
- Delaney Wingenbach (Fr.), Gainesville, Fla., Georgia Southern, OH, 5-11
- Emily Geaquinto (So.), Boca Raton, Fla., Santa Fe College, S, 6-0
- Caroline Peterson (Fr.), Asheville, N.C., Asheville Christian, DS/L, 5-8
- Sophia Garrido (5th), San Juan, P.R., Arkansas Little Rock, RS, 5-10

How They Did Last Year
Tennessee State went 1-30 in 2025, and brings a 26-match losing streak to Maclellan Gym on Friday. Valpo is coming off a 21-9 season a year ago, where it advanced to the MVC Semifinals. Laslty, UAB posted a 13-15 record a year ago, where it was 7-5 against non-conference opposition. 

Preseason Poll Results
Chattanooga: 5th of 10 (SoCon)
Tennessee State: 9th of 9 (OVC)
Valpo: 3rd of 6 (MVC)
UAB: 13th of 13 (American)

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