photo by Anthony Klotz / GoMocs.com
Chattanooga volleyball wrapped up its home tournament, the Chattanooga Classic, with an undefeated record after the Mocs claimed a 3-1 victory over Belmont on Saturday to clinch the tournament title.
The Mocs (6-1) handed the Bruins (4-1) their very-first loss of the season in front of a raucous crowd in Maclellan Gymnasium, ultimately toppling Belmont in four sets to officially go back-to-back as Chattanooga Classic champions. This marks the sixth time in the tournament’s 17-year history that the Mocs have taken home the tournament title, as well as just the second time ever that the Mocs have won the tournament in back-to-back seasons.
“Belmont’s a good team and they really match our style,” head coach Julie Torbett Thomas said.
“It was a great battle out there and they had some amazing players that we had to find the right matchup with.”
“We have fighters, and that’s really an asset to have when some players are struggling. If someone can’t contribute in one way, they find a way to contribute in another way. I love that about this team. I love that we’re so gritty and determined. We want to win and put it all out there which makes us a fun team to watch.”
Off the rip the Mocs were on a mission to take home the tournament crown, as UTC powered through a hard-fought opening frame to take a 25-23 set victory to start off the match. The Bruins were able to respond back in the second, though, with Belmont claiming the second set 25-17 to level out the score.
While it was a tightly contested final two frames of action, the Mocs were always able to remain in the driver’s seat, fending off any potential run by the Bruins. Following a 25-22 win in set three, UTC was looking for just one more set win to clinch the match and tournament victory.
Led primarily by junior Sydney Jackwin, the Mocs kept Belmont at arm’s reach for a majority of the fourth set. For every response that the Bruins had, Chattanooga had one of its own with Belmont only having led for two points over the entire set.
With some late miscues by the Bruins, alongside a pair of kills by Chard’e Vanzandt, the Mocs came out on top with a 25-23 win in the fourth, securing a 3-1 UTC victory to close out the team’s weekend in the Mac.
Jackwin’s day would end with yet another double-double performance, finishing with a team-best 20 kills alongside 14 digs. Elaine Redman also finished with a double-double for the Mocs, as Redman logged 45 assists and 12 digs in the win.
Both Kynli Kirkendoll and Chard’e Vanzandt ended their days with double-digit kills as well, with the pair going for 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Kirkendoll was also able to finish as the Mocs’ leader in blocks, notching four on the day.
Rounding out the UTC lineup was libero Paige Gallentine, who did what she normally does by pacing the Mocs in the digs department with 22. Gallentine finished tied with Jackwin as the team leader in aces in the match too, as each upperclassman wrapped up their Saturdays having recorded three apiece.
A total of three Mocs ultimately found their way onto the Chattanooga Classic All-Tournament, with senior setter Elaine Redman finishing as the Tournament MVP while Sydney Jackwin and Kynli Kirkendoll received all-tournament honors. Redman’s weekend ended with the Chattanooga native tallying 150 total assists (10.71 assists/set, 50 assists/match), 26 total digs, nine total kills, four total blocks and three total aces over UTC’s three-match tournament slate.
“I really appreciate being recognized all weekend,” Redman said. “Everyone yesterday was so great to me after they recognized me for my 3,000th assist, and today being honored as MVP just means the world to me.”
“I couldn’t do it without this team. Our passing, our great hitters, everything. I just love this team.”
2024 CHATTANOOGA CLASSIC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Elaine Redman, S, Chattanooga (MVP)
Sydney Jackwin, OH, Chattanooga
Kynli Kirkendoll, MB, Chattanooga
Brooke Gilleland, OH, Belmont
Bella Mathis, MB, Belmont
Skylar Yates, OH, Charleston Southern
Jayla Holcombe, RS, Tennessee State
The Mocs won’t have too long to recover before their next match, as Chattanooga is set to host Jacksonville State this Tuesday, September 10 at 6 p.m. ET for a standalone non-conference match at Maclellan Gymnasium. The match will air on ESPN+ and will also serve as the team’s “Mac at the Mac” promotional giveaway. Following Tuesday’s match against the Gamecocks, the Mocs hit the road for the SIUE Cougar Classic tournament, which will run September 13-14 in Edwardsville, Illinois.