In the final non-conference match of the season, the Chattanooga Mocs finished its tough slate with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-##) loss to defending SEC-champ No. 20 Kentucky on Sunday afternoon.
Chattanooga ends the early portion of its schedule at 4-9. Kentucky improves to 6-4 ahead of conference play. The Wildcats advanced to the Elite Eight a season ago with a 29-4 overall record.
Of note, senior Miranda Elpers played in her 100th career match for the Chattanooga Mocs while returning to her home state of Kentucky.
Kentucky earned wins in the first two sets by a 25-14 and 25-16 margin to build an early 2-0 lead in the match.
Chattanooga scored the first five points and held a 9-5 lead in the third before UK fought back to complete the sweep with a 25-17 victory.
The Chattanooga offense was led by freshman Gylian Finch who finished with a team-high nine kills at another team-best, .450 hitting percentage. Dani Szczepanski and Mikaela Gauthreaux each had five kills in the three set match.
Jaquelyn Langhaim once again directed the offense with 19 assists in addition to Maddie Halsey who finished with four. Miranda Elpers, Maia Rackel and Ally Fordall had two kills to help the offense.
Megan Kaufman and Langhaim paced the team with five digs on defense while Bailey Bennett and Brenna Everingham each had four. Bennett also chipped in with a career-high two service aces.
Chattanooga opens up Southern Conference play this weekend with a pair of home matches inside Maclellan Gymnasium. UTC will face Wofford on Friday at 6 p.m. before a matchup with Furman on Saturday at 3 p.m. Post-match autographs will follow the match on Friday while Saturday is the annual 'Military Appreciation Night'.