Volleyball Reverse Sweeps Non-Conference Finale Against Norfolk State

Saturday, September 19

Radford, Va.

1:00 p.m.

Chattanooga

5-7,0-0SoCon

Norfolk State

3-9,0-0MEAC

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Norfolk St.	25	26	26	25	6	2
Chattanooga	15	24	28	27	15	3

Photo by: Ray Soldano

9/19/2026 5:31:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Chattanooga picked up its second five-set win of the year

RADFORD, Va. - The Mocs rallied from behind Saturday afternoon against Norfolk State to end non-conference play on a positive note. Chattanooga dropped the first two sets before earning the reverse sweep by winning the next three sets. It was a tight match throughout with three of the five sets decided by two points.

It's the Mocs' first reverse sweep since doing it on the road at Western Carolina on Oct. 9 of last season. Chattanooga has also won five consecutive five-set matches, including two this season.

Final Score
Chattanooga 3, Norfolk State 2 (15-25, 24-26, 28-26, 27-25, 15-6)

Records
Chattanooga (5-7)
Norfolk State (3-9)

Series Notes
The Mocs move to 2-0 all-time against Norfolk State. The other meeting was a five-set win for UTC a season ago in Orlando.

How it Happened
The Spartans had the upper hand all throughout the first set, scoring six of the first seven points and not looking back. Chattanooga got as close as three points at 9-6, but Norfolk State then started extending its lead. A 5-0 run capped off by a Norfolk State kill made it 21-12. The Spartans then scored the final two points of the set to win 25-15.

Kirkendoll recorded a kill in the early part of the second set to tie the set at five apiece. The score remained tight as a service ace from Elena Vukmanov put the Mocs up 13-12. Three straight points for UTC capped off by a kill from Vukmanov gave her side its biggest lead at 22-18. The Mocs had a set point at 24-23, however Norfolk State scored the next three points to win it 26-24.

The score was tied at eight in the third set as Jordin Glass recorded a kill. Later on four consecutive points for the Blue and Gold gave it a 15-10 lead. Norfolk State did not back down though as it went on a 5-0 run to move ahead 22-21. The Mocs later killed off set match points for the Spartans at 25-24 and 26-25, before scoring three in a row to win 28-26 and keep the match alive. Vukmanov had the winning kill.

Norfolk State was in control of the fourth set, jumping out to a 10-4 lead before UTC scored five points in a row behind three consecutive service aces by Ryan Oden. Another service ace, this one by Caroline Peterson put the Mocs ahead 20-19. UTC had set points at 24-22, 24-23, and 25-24 that the Spartans held off. Eventually the Mocs won 27-25 after back-to-back kills from Glass, sending the match to a fifth and final set.

In the fifth set, Chattanooga scored the first two points, behind two errors from Norfolk State. They would end up having eight during the set. A 4-0 run for the Mocs started by a kill from Ashley Reynolds all of a sudden put Chattanooga up 8-3. The Mocs remained in control, scoring the final five points of the day to win 15-6 and complete the reverse sweep. Gracie Rose recorded the match-winning kill.

Individual and Team Stats

Rose led the Mocs, accounting for a season-high 16 kills with a .343 hitting percentage. She also had a career-high five total blocks.
Vukmanov recorded a double-double with 12 kills and a season-high 14 digs.
Kirkendoll also was in double-figures offensively with 11 kills and five total blocks. Glass was right behind her with nine kills.
Mallory Merz with 22 assists and Reynolds with 20 assists made impacts at the setter position.
Caiti Barthel led the Mocs with 19 digs.
Bailey Burgess delivered seven total blocks, which is a new season high as well as eight kills. Chattanooga had 12 total blocks as a team which ties a season high.
The Mocs hit .223 as a team while the Spartans were .194. The Mocs are 5-0 this season when hitting .200 or higher.
Chattanooga had a season-high 60 kills and a season-high 11 service aces in the win.

Postgame Quote

Julie Torbett Thomas Head Coach

On today's win
"I am happy to get the win. We have different players stepping up in big moments. Today Gracie (Rose) led the charge on the outside and Bailey (Burgess) was great with seven blocks and eight kills. I liked that we played better as the match went on and didn't give up when we let the second set slip away."

"Ryan (Oden) brought us back with great serving and Jordin (Glass) had some huge blocks. It was a team effort."

Up Next: Chattanooga starts SoCon play on Friday, Sept. 25 at home against Wofford at 6 p.m. It's the first of two matches the Mocs will play against the Terriers at home that weekend, the other being Saturday at 4 p.m.

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