Despite a first set victory, the Chattanooga Mocs volleyball team suffered a 3-1 (23-25, 27-25, 25-18, 25-19) loss to Furman on Sunday evening inside Macllelan Gym during Southern Conference action.
Following the loss, Chattanooga falls to 4-5 overall and 2-5 in league play. Furman improves its 2020-21 mark to 3-2 overall and 3-2 in the conference.
Chattanooga earned a first set victory, 25-23, and grabbed a 1-0 lead after out attacking the Paladins in the kill column 13-10. Both teams struggled to find efficient offense in the second set with both teams combining to attack at a .025% clip. Furman squeaked out a 27-25 decision to tie the match at the break.
Coming out of the break, Furman attacked at a blistering .226% percentage in the third and sprinted its way to a 25-18 victory to break the tie. The visitors would cap off the comeback with a similar 25-19 win in the fourth behind a .280% hitting percentage on 25 total attacks.
Mikaela Gauthreaux (Johns Creek, Ga.), playing in her first match inside Macllelan since 2018, led the team with nine kills on 18 attacks, amounting to a match-high .389% attacking clip. MacKenzie Saitta (Elkhorn, Neb.) added eight kills while Kate Neill (Plymouth, Minn.) provided a solid seven kills at an efficient .267% percentage.
Sophia Bossong (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) and Bailey Steger (Half Moon Bay, Calif.) directed the offense with 21 and 16 assists, respectively. The duo combined for three service aces, nine digs and a block on Sunday.
Paige Gallentine (Fenton, Mich.) registered a match-high 26 digs and also added a service ace during the loss.
Chattanooga (4-5, 2-5 SoCon) returns to action tomorrow against Furman in the final of the two-match season series at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Match coverage links are located on the schedule page.