UTC volleyball team wants to share in school’s success

UTC volleyball players Lauren Gainer, left, and Briana Reid practice Thursday at Maclellan Gym. After going 13-19 overall last season and 6-10 in Southern Conference play, the Mocs are optimistic they can win a conference title for the first time since 1998. UTC volleyball players Lauren Gainer, left, and Briana Reid practice Thursday at Maclellan Gym. After going 13-19 overall last season and 6-10 in Southern Conference play, the Mocs are optimistic they can win a conference title for the first time since 1998.

By Gene Henley August 28, 2015 4 min read

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga volleyball team has watched from a distance as a number of the school’s athletic programs experienced high levels of success.

With a five-player senior class, the volleyball Mocs believe it’s their year to take a portion of the spotlight.

“It’s an amazing thing to be a part of, to watch and see, but we no longer want to be a bystander,” UTC coach Travis Filar said. “We want to be a part of the success.”

The Mocs haven’t won a volleyball conference championship since 1998, but that hasn’t curbed their enthusiasm or confidence in preparation for this season, which starts tonight with the Chattanooga Classic at Maclellan Gym, where UTC faces Valparaiso at 6. On Saturday, the Mocs will play Troy at 12:30 p.m. and Eastern Kentucky at 7 p.m.

In other Classic matches, Eastern Kentucky plays Troy at 3 p.m. today, and on Saturday, Valparaiso plays Eastern Kentucky at 10 a.m. and Troy at 4:30 p.m.