Volleyball Ends Homestand With Two Against Western Carolina

Friday, October 16

Chattanooga, Tenn.

6:00 p.m.

Chattanooga

Western Carolina

Caiti Barthel being introduced in the pregame starting lineups vs. ETSU

Photo by: Ray Soldano

10/15/2026 3:00:00 PM | Volleyball

Match Notes

Chattanooga and Western Carolina play in Maclellan Gym on Friday and Saturday for two critical SoCon matches

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The Mocs are set for two more home matches this weekend against Western Carolina, as they end a four-match homestand. With a pair of wins this weekend, UTC can move into a tie with Western Carolina in the SoCon standings and potentially move ahead of The Citadel depending on how the Bulldogs do against Samford.

Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+ and have live stats available for fans to follow. The full schedule with game links is copied below.

Friday, Oct. 16
6 p.m. - Chattanooga vs. Western Carolina (Watch) (Live Stats)
Play-by-Play: Todd Agne

Saturday, Oct. 17
3 p.m. - Chattanooga vs. Western Carolina (Watch) (Live Stats)
Play-by-Play: Chris Goforth

Records
Chattanooga (5-14, 0-7 SoCon)
Western Carolina (6-14, 2-5 SoCon)

Promotions
Fall Fest: Fans can enjoy fall-themed activities and games while supporting Mocs Volleyball!

Series Notes
Chattanooga is 47-50 all-time against Western Carolina... Friday and Saturday are set to be the 98th and 99th all-time meetings between UTC and WCU... It is the most played match in Chattanooga Volleyball history... Chattanooga is 25-17 in home matches against Western Carolina... The Mocs have won four in a row in the series... Julie Torbett Thomas is 5-3 against WCU as Chattanooga Head Coach.

About Chattanooga
The Mocs are on a seven-match losing skid since beginning conference play. This includes one five-set loss, three four-set losses, and three sweeps. Last weekend, Chattanooga fell in three sets on consecutive nights to ETSU. The Mocs have wins this season over Tennessee State, UT Martin, Presbyterian, Jackson State, and Norfolk State.

As a team, Chattanooga averages 11.5 kills per set, 15.4 digs per set, 10.7 assists per set, and 2.0 blocks per set. Chattanooga is ranked third in the SoCon in blocks per set. The Mocs are hitting .194 as a team, and most recently hit .299 in their last match against ETSU, which was their highest mark in a SoCon match this season.

Caiti Barthel has been a key player for UTC this season at the libero position. The senior averages 4.39 digs per set and has totaled 312 digs on the year, which ranks inside the top three in the SoCon in both statistical categories. Looking at Chattanooga's top blockers, the trio of Kynli Kirkendoll, Jordin Glass, and Bailey Burgess all contribute to the cause. Burgess (0.93 blocks per set) and Kirkendoll (0.90 blocks per set) are in the top 10 of the SoCon in blocks per set. Glass and Kirkendoll are also offensive threats for UTC with multiple matches with 10 or more kills.

At outside hitter, Gracie Rose is Chattanooga's leading attacker this season with 167 kills and 2.42 kills per set. She has led UTC in kills in four of the last five matches, including a 17-kill performance at Furman. Another outside hitter for Chattanooga who can impact games is Elena Vukmanov as she ranks second on the team in kills per set at 2.24. She had 10 kills in both of the matches versus ETSU last weekend. At setter, Chattanooga is led by Ashley Reynolds with 455 assists while averaging 6.41 assists per set. She had 28 assists in UTC's last match against ETSU which was a new season high in conference play.

About Western Carolina
The Catamounts ended a three-match losing skid in their last match, earning a four-set win over Furman in Cullowhee. Western Carolina's other league win this season came on Oct. 1 at home against Samford. WCU will be looking for its first away win of the season this weekend in Maclellan Gym as it is 0-7 in true road matches this year.

Western Carolina has played more sets this season than any other team in the SoCon and have played six five-setters this year, going 1-5 in those matches. Looking at the Catamounts' team stats, they lead the country in total digs with 1,247 this season. In digs per set, WCU averages 16.35 which is ranked second in the SoCon behind Samford. Looking at other stats, Western Carolina averages 11.9 kills per set, 11 assists per set, and 1.7 blocks per set. The Catamounts are hitting .184 as a team.

Outside hitter Zoe Zudans of Palm Beach Gardens, Floirda is Western Carolina's leading attacker with 213 kills, averaging 2.80 kills per set. She has had 10 or more kills in 13 matches this season. Middle blocker Tatum Sharp is another key offensive player for WCU, averaging 2.20 kills per set. She recently had 21 kills against Samford on Oct. 2. She also impacts matches defensively, averaging 0.93 blocks per set, which is sixth best in the SoCon.

Katie Boney is Western Carolina's setter, and she averages 9.44 assists per set, ranking fourth in the league. She was the SoCon Setter of the Week on Oct. 5 after matches of 38 assists and 69 assists against Samford. In total assists, Boney has accumulated 764, which ranks third nationally.

At libero for Western Carolina is Elise Gurley. The sophomore is averaging 4.22 digs per set. In total digs, Gurley ranks second in the SoCon with 342, which places her 12th in the country.

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