JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct 16, 2024) – East Tennessee State University volleyball continues SoCon play with its first split home and road weekend of the season.

The Bucs (10-7, 2-3 SoCon) travel to face Chattanooga (10-9, 1-4 SoCon) at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, and return home at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, vs. Western Carolina (7-10, 1-3 SoCon).

ETSU split a pair of matches at home over the weekend, beating The Citadel in five sets (25-17, 21-25, 15-25, 25-20, 15-12 ) and falling to Wofford in three sets (14-25, 19-25, 22-25).

The Blue & Gold posted the best team blocking performance since at least 2014 against the Bulldogs, with 19 team blocks, powered by senior middle blocker Abbey Thomas (nine block assists, one solo), junior middle blocker Whitley Rammel (five block assists, four solo) and graduate setter Reese Rhodes (seven block assists). As the Bucs' blocking has gone in conference play, so have the results. In ETSU's two SoCon wins, the Blue & Gold have totaled 33 blocks. In the three losses, the Bucs have had just ten.

Chattanooga comes into the match after securing its first SoCon win over UNCG. The Mocs have dropped contests to Samford, Mercer and The Citadel, all in five sets, and fell in four sets to Wofford. ETSU and UTC had no common nonconference opponents.

The Mocs are led by Chard'e Vanzandt and Sydney Jackwin, who have 235 and 230 kills, respectively. Elaine Redman has 785 assists, Paige Gallentine has 24 aces and 377 digs, and Kynli Kirkendoll has 55 blocks.

The Bucs are 43-35 all-time vs. Chattanooga. Devine is 14-8 against the Mocs, including an 8-3 record in Chattanooga. ETSU won the last meeting 3-2 in 2023.

Western Carolina enters the match on a 1-3 skid. The Catamounts opened SoCon play with a win over The Citadel but have since fallen to Samford, UNCG and Wofford. The only common opponent on the nonconference slate was NC Central, who both ETSU and Western Carolina beat.

WCU is led by Bailey Hartsough, who has 199 kills, 242 digs and 18 aces on the campaign. Sarah Janourova has 362 assists and Janelle Blue has 82 blocks, the latter of which is the best mark in the SoCon.

ETSU holds a 49-43 all-time series lead over Western Carolina. Devine has a 15-7 mark against WCU to go with her sterling 9-2 slate at Brooks Gym. The Bucs won the most recent match 3-1 in 2023.

Both matches will be available on ESPN+. For more information on Buccaneer volleyball, follow @ETSUVolleyball on X (Twitter) and Instagram, and visit ETSUBucs.com.