The Chattanooga Mocs volleyball team travels to Kennesaw, Ga., to face the Kennesaw State Owls Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. (E.D.T.).
"It is a different week since we have more matches than practices," head coach Travis Filar stated. "But I am really excited to see how our team responds."
Chattanooga is coming off a 3-0 weekend performance, clinching its home tournament title. The Mocs beat UAB 3-1 and Gardner-Webb and Austin Peay 3-0, which improved their record to 7-2.
"We really grew a lot this past weekend, and I give all the credit to how focused our team came into last week's practices," Filar said.
"They took advantage of every session to get better and that showed throughout the weekend."
Catherine Chason (Alpharetta, Ga.) led the Mocs' defense over the weekend, posting 51 digs and averaging 5.1 per set. Because of her performance, she was named MVP of the Scenic City Showdown - Presented by Hampton Inn & Suites (Downtown Chattanooga). Her impressive weekend adds to her 135 digs on the season.
Lauren Greenspoon (Houston, Texas) and Sarah Batterton (Colbert, Wash.) also made it on the all-tournament team. Greenspoon helped the Mocs to a .300 hitting percentage on the weekend with 118 assists. She averaged 11.8 assists per set last weekend and has 356 assists on the season. Batterton posted 19 kills against UAB, with a .482 attack percentage over the three matches. She leads the team in kills with 95.
UTC and Kennesaw have one common opponent so far. The Owls dropped a three-set loss to Valparaiso last weekend, and the Mocs lost to the Crusaders 3-2 in their season-opener.
Kennesaw has a 7-2 record after a 1-2 performance last weekend at the Popcorn Classic. The team posted a 3-0 win over Elon and two three-set losses to Loyola and Valparaiso. The Owls also have faced one Southern Conference opponent, beating out Mercer 3-0.
Redshirt freshman Amariah Boyer paces Kennesaw's offense with 89 kills. Sophomore libero Katarina Morton leads the team's back court posting 112 digs on the season. Sophomore Kristi Piedimonte is the Owl's starting setter with 303 assists, helping her team to a .269 hitting percentage. Sophomore middle blocker Rachel Taylor leads in blocking efforts, recording 26 total blocks, six solo blocks and 20 block assists.
"Kennesaw State is a very talented, athletic, competitive, and well-coached team," Filar stated. "I am really excited to see us continue to compete at a high level against another great team."
A link to live stats and video can be found on GoMocs.com volleyball schedule page.
The Mocs are back on the road over the weekend for the Hokie Invitational in Blacksburg, Va. UTC is set to face Liberty Friday at 4:30 p.m. and Virginia Tech Saturday at 10:00 a.m., followed by Middle Tennessee at 5:00 p.m.