Volleyball Concludes Non-Conference Play at Highlander Invitational

Friday, September 18

Radford, Va.

1:00 p.m.

Chattanooga

Radford

Delaney Wingenbach going for a kill against UAB

Photo by: Ray Soldano

9/17/2026 3:00:00 PM | Volleyball

Match Notes

The Mocs take on Radford, Bellarmine, and Norfolk State this weekend

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The Mocs bring a 4-5 record to the Highlander Invitational this weekend, hosted by Radford. Chattanooga is scheduled for three matches as it wraps up its non-conference slate. UTC plays Radford and Bellarmine on Friday before taking on Norfolk State on Saturday.

Chattanooga's full schedule of matches this weekend with times and games links are copied below. All three matches will be streamed on ESPN+ and have live stats available for fans to follow along with.

Friday, Sept. 18
1 p.m. - Chattanooga at Radford (Watch) (Live Stats)
4 p.m. - Chattanooga vs. Bellarmine (Watch) (Live Stats)

Saturday, Sept. 19
1 p.m. - Chattanooga vs. Norfolk State (Watch) (Live Stats)

Series History Notes
The Mocs have played Radford just one time, falling to the Highlanders in four sets in 1996 on the road. Chattanooga is 2-0 all-time against Bellarmine, with the last meeting being a four-set win for UTC in 2024 on a neutral court. The Mocs are 1-0 all-time against Norfolk State, as they defeated the Spartans in five sets during the opening weekend of last season a year ago in Orlando.

Chattanooga's Last Time Out
The Mocs went 1-2 at the Queen City Classic. Their win came against Presbyterian in four sets, highlighted by double-doubles from Mallory Merz (23 assists, 13 digs) and Kynli Kirkendoll (10 kills, 10 digs). Chattanooga's losses came to Queens (N.C.) in four sets and Buffalo in three sets. At the conclusion of the weekend, Kirkendoll was named to the All-Tournament Team, her second of the season.

About Chattanooga
Jordin Glass is UTC's leading attacker with 84 kills (2.55 per set). Kirkendoll (2.24 kills per set), Gracie Rose (2.13 kills per set), and Addison Walker (2.41 kills per set) also have been key players in the Mocs' attack. Caiti Barthel with 146 digs (4.42 per set) and Kirkendoll with 33 total blocks lead the Blue and Gold Defensively. Barthel ranks second in the SoCon in digs per set. Ashley Reynolsd leads the Mocs in assists with 237 (7.18 per set) and in service aces, totaling 12. Merz has also recently delivered when called upon at setter, posting 10 or more assists in each of the last three matches. As a team, UTC is hitting .207 and averaging 11.88 kills per set. On the opposite side of the net, Chattanooga averages 14.61 digs per set.

Scouting Radford
Radford enters Friday's matchup with Chattanooga at 3-8 overall, averaging 12.78 kills and 11.11 assists per set while hitting .226 as a team. Taryn Roberts leads the Highlanders offensively with 123 kills (2.73 per set) and a .342 hitting percentage and at the net with 30 total blocks. Macie Potter ranks second with 88 kills (1.91 per set). Addison Cunnagin is another strong offensive threat with 84 kills (2.63 per set) to her name. Setter Lea Gage has recorded 340 assists (7.39 per set) so far this year. Mia Jannazzo anchors the defense with 206 digs (4.68 per set), while Roberts leads the team with 19 blocks. Jannazzo is the reigning Big South Libero of the Week.

Scouting Bellarmine
Bellarmine enters the Highlander Invitational at 4-4, with Mady Yaden leading the Knights offensively with 104 kills (3.35 per set). Natalie Bland has added 94 kills (2.94 per set), while Erika Smith has recorded 60 kills and is hitting .300. Setter Maddie Carnes has directed the offense with 299 assists (9.34 per set). Payton Parsons anchors the back row with 122 digs (3.81 per set), while Mary Herman leads Bellarmine with 31 total blocks. As a team, the Knights are hitting .200 with 12.28 kills, 11.28 assists, 1.59 aces and 1.84 blocks per set.

Scouting Norfolk State
Norfolk State sits at 3-6 and is averaging 10.4, 9.4 assists, 1.92 aces, 10.8 digs and 2.2 blocks per set while hitting .178 as a team. Gabrielle Gilbert leads the Spartans with 117 kills (3.55 per set) while hitting .221. Kyleigh Moore ranks second with 75 kills (2.27 per set). With 144 assists (4.36 per set) and 108 assists (3.27 per set), Nehir Erimez and Jasmine Mataira both impact games at setter. Former Moc, Jazeli Vandenburgh leads the Spartans defensively with 109 digs (3.41 per set).

Preseason Poll Results
Chattanooga: 5th of 10 (SoCon)
Radford: 6th of 8 (Big South)
Bellarmine: 7th of 8 (Atlantic Sun)
Norfolk State: 6th of 8 (MEAC)

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