Chattanooga Dropped Two Highlander Invitational Matches
The Mocs suffered back-to-back losses against Radford and Bellarmine in tournament play.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Volleyball
Chattanooga fell to both Radford and Bellarmine during the Highlander Invitational. These results bring the team to a 4-7 record on the season.
Why it matters
The tournament results reflect a challenging start for Chattanooga as they continue their 2026 season. These matches against regional opponents offer insight into team performance heading into future competition.
Ashley Reynolds recorded 22 assists in the loss to Radford, while Elena Vukmanov and Caiti Barthel tallied 15 kills and 18 digs, respectively, against Bellarmine. Bellarmine also notched 12 service aces in their victory over the Mocs.
The players
Chattanooga
This is the university volleyball team representing the school in Chattanooga.
Radford
This university serves as the host institution for the Highlander Invitational.
Bellarmine
This university fields a volleyball program that competed in the tournament matches.
Elena Vukmanov
She is a player for Chattanooga who recorded 15 kills against Bellarmine.
Ashley Reynolds
She is a player for Chattanooga who tallied 22 assists during the Radford match.
The details
Radford defeated Chattanooga in three straight sets, with scores of 25-20, 29-27, and 25-19. In a subsequent match, Bellarmine bested Chattanooga in four sets with scores of 25-22, 19-25, 25-12, and 25-22.
Timeline
September 18, 2026: Chattanooga played matches against Radford and Bellarmine.
2024: The teams last met before this tournament matchup.
1996: The teams last faced each other in a prior series.
The Big Picture
These matches follow the established competitive cycle of the Highlander Invitational. The tournament serves as a mid-season benchmark for participating programs to test their rosters against conference rivals.
The losses drop Chattanooga to a 4-7 record, impacting their current standings within the competitive field of the tournament. The statistical output from players like Vukmanov and Reynolds remains a key indicator of individual performance metrics for the squad.
The takeaway
The team must evaluate their offensive consistency after hitting only .153 in their opening match. Consistent defensive pressure remains essential for shifting momentum in close four-set contests.
Further reading
For more on the current team trajectory, visit Volleyball.
