Florida A&M 3, Chattanooga 2
ATLANTA, Ga. – The Chattanooga Mocs (0-3, 0-0) dropped their third match of the season Sunday morning with a 2-3 loss to Florida A&M on the final day of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Invitational. FAMU improved to 1-2 with the win. Despite the loss, sophomore Julimar Alvarado was named to the tournament’s all-tournament team.
Chattanooga jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first set with a 25-16 victory over the Rattlers. The Mocs scored early and forced Florida A&M to a timeout to regroup. Leading 4-0 at the break, Chattanooga went on to dominate the set 25-16.
The second set was all Rattlers as FAMU jumped out to a 5-0 lead over Travis Filar’s Mocs. Chattanooga pulled within two points, 8-10, midway through the match, but Florida A&M pulled away soon after to take a 25-20 win in the stanza.
FAMU again streaked to a victory in the third frame, piecing together two long scoring possessions. The first went for six points while the second nailed seven consecutive points onto the scoreboard for the Rattlers. Florida A&M went on to win the set 25-16 and take a 2-1 lead in the match.
Chattanooga battled back from elimination in the fourth set to force a fifth frame. A narrow 26-24 win in the set, Chattanooga led by as much as four points before the Rattlers mounted a comeback. The Mocs snagged the win on back-to-back kills from sophomore Sarah Batterton.
Florida A&M controlled the temp from the start in the fifth set, taking a massive 8-2 lead against UTC. Despite the deep hole, Chattanooga climbed back into the set on four consecutive points late to bring the score to 10-13. Despite the comeback, two quick FAMU points cost the Mocs the match, falling 2-3.
Despite the loss, freshman Allie Davenport registered 15 kills and recorded 13 digs to claim her first career double-double. Davenport also lead the Mocs with three solo blocks. The freshman was followed up with a 14-kill performance from Batterton. The Colbert, Wash., native also claimed three assisted blocks.
Sophomore libero Catherine Chason lead Chattanooga with 16 digs. Sophomore Brian a Reid also registered 10 digs for the Mocs.
Alvarado was Chattanooga’s lone all-tournament selection, totaling 22 kills on the weekend along with 23.5 points. The sophomore also hit a team-best .333 on offense. It is her first all-tournament honor.
The Mocs return home this week to host the Country Inns & Suites Invitational at Maclellan Gym. Chattanooga begins the tournament Thursday night at 7 p.m. when the Mocs host the Tennessee Lady Vols.