The Chattanooga Mocs’ indoor volleyball team opened up Southern Conference play inside Maclellan Gym on Friday night against the UNCG Spartans. In a match that featured 29 ties and 11 lead changes, the Spartans swept the Mocs 27-25, 25-20, 25-19.
 
UNCG began the first set winning the first four points. Down 4-0, Gylian Finch stepped back to serve and slotted back-to-back aces which led to UTC’s 7-0 run to take the lead early in the set. Maia Rackel recorded her fourth kill of the opening set to force the Spartans to take their second timeout down 14-10. UNCG inched closer throughout the remainder of the set and ultimately regained the lead at 20-19. The Spartans had the first set point up 24-23 and the Mocs were able to fend off two of them, but never held a set point of their own. The visitors ultimately took the opening set, 27-25.

The Mocs took their first lead at 5-3 after Abby Ekeler recorded a dig and a kill all in one. Like the first set, the Spartans called timeout when UTC hit 14. The Mocs held a 14-11 lead which was cut into after the timeout. The visitors tied the set at 17 and led 18-17, forcing UTC to use its first timeout of the match. After the Spartans regained the lead, they never gave it up and took a 2-0 lead in the match with a 25-20 win in the second set. Both teams hit above .200 in the set with UNCG holding a .267 - .233 edge.

UTC and UNCG both exchanged the first half of points with the two teams being tied at 10. The Spartans won five of the next eight points leading to a UTC timeout. The Mocs were unable to come from behind and keep the match going as the Spartans won the third set and swept the match. UNCG took the set 25-19 and hit .297 in the frame.

The Mocs continue SoCon play at home tomorrow, Sept. 25, as UTC hosts Western Carolina at 6 p.m.