Mocs' Volleyball Focusing On SoCon Season

  • Thursday, September 23, 2021

The Chattanooga Mocs’ indoor volleyball has turned its focus to the Southern Conference season. UTC begins its SoCon slate on Friday, Sept. 24 inside Maclellan Gym vs. the UNCG Spartans.

WEEKEND CENTRAL
UTC vs.

UNCG | 6 PM | ESPN+
UTC vs. WCU | 6 PM | 
ESPN+

MAC AT THE MAC IS BACK!
The first 100 fans in attendance for Friday night’s SoCon opener will receive free Mac and Cheese provided by Texas Roadhouse.

 

CHATTANOOGA
Chattanooga (4-9) enters Southern Conference play coming off of a 1-2 weekend at the Southern Miss Classic. The Mocs defeated Lamar in the opener before falling to Eastern Kentucky in five sets and the hosts in four.  The Mocs are averaging 2.09 blocks per set and 15.41 digs per set this season.

 

TEAM LEADERS
Offensively, UTC is led by Maia Rackel who is hitting .254 with 3.29 kills per set. Her 168 kills this season is second among Southern Conference players. Defensively at the net, Marcelle Baez-Carlo has shined in her first year in Blue and Gold. The freshman from Puerto Rico leads the team with 60 blocks, averaging 1.40 per set. She also has a team-high 12 aces and offensively has recorded 44 kills. In the back row, Paige Gallentine has started every match as the Mocs’ libero. After a stellar freshman season, she’s averaging 4.49 digs per set with 229 this season.

 

WHERE THEY STAND IN THE SOCON
The Mocs are in the top half of the SoCon in all three defensive catagories. UTC is third in both digs per set and blocks per set with 15.41 digs and 2.09 blocks per frame. The Blue and Gold are fourth in the conference limiting opponents to a .225 hitting percentage.

 

DEFENSE!
From the back row to the net, the Mocs’ defense has shined and improved throughout the non-conference season. UTC is averaging 15.41 digs per set and 2.09 blocks per set. Marcelle Baez-Carlo and Coniah Davis are leading the blocking efforts with 60 and 41, respectively. Gallentine, Finch, Bossong and Ekeler are all averaging more than two digs/set.

 

GYLIAN’S STELLAR WEEKEND
Gylian Finch started off her fourth season as a Moc with back-to-back double doubles. Last weekend, she was named to the Southern Miss Classic All-Tournament Team after averaging 3.67 kills per set and 2.67 digs/set. She became the 6th active SoCon player with 800 kills with 44 last weekend. Finch is second on the team with 121 kills and 2.69 kills per set.

ABOUT UNCG
UNCG enters conference play with the best non-conference record in the league. The Spartans are 11-2 this season, the best start in program history. UNCG leads the conference in six of seven major statistical categories. The team is hitting .216 and is holding opponents to a .130 clip. UNCG is led by Kayla White with 185 kills and is averaging 3.85 kills/set. Defensively, Jenna Wiggs leads the team with 4.04 digs/set. Gabriela McHugh is posting more than 10 assists per set which has accounted for two SoCon Setter of the Week accolades.

ABOUT WESTERN CAROLINA
Western Carolina enters the weekend at 4-7 and is 0-4 on the road. The Catamounts are second in the SoCon averaging 2.13 blocks per set and seventh allowing opponents to hit .235. The team is returning 13 players from last season and welcomes five newcomers to the squad. The Catamounts lost just three players from last year, two starters. WCU has been swept three times this season and is 2-0 in five-set matches. Their squad has played two opponents that UTC also faced in the preseason, Western Illinois and Tennessee Tech. WCU defeated both in four and five sets, respectfully.

Sports
Mocs Houk Named SoCon Golfer Of The Week
  • 3/27/2024

Chattanooga Mocs senior John Houk claimed this week’s Southern Conference Golfer of the Week honor with an impressive runner-up performance at the General Hackler Championships. The Athens, Tenn., ... more

UTC Homecoming Set For October 26
  • 3/27/2024

The Chattanooga Mocs completed spring drills prior to Spring Break and are now deep into strength and conditioning work ahead of the summer in preparation for the fall season. One highlight to ... more

UTC's Long Named TSWA Pitcher Of The Week
  • 3/26/2024

One day after receiving the award for the Southern Conference Pitcher of the Week, sophomore Taylor Long was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Pitcher of the Week. This ... more