WINTER HAVEN, Fla. --- The Mississippi College volleyball team dropped a pair of contests on the first day of the NCAA Division II South Region Crossover at the AdventHealth Fieldhouse on Friday, Oct. 22. MC (5-11) fell in straight sets to both Palm Beach Atlantic and Eckerd College on the day.
 
Lexi Richards led the squad on the day with 16 kills followed by Sloane FitzHenry with 14. Kendall Platt added 12 kills in the combined six sets of action. Lexie Laurendine directed the offensive attack with 22 assists in the opener against PBA. Levi Lennard added 17 as Ingrid Savola supplied 15 assists – all coming in the match with Eckerd.
 
Missy Beber compiled a team-best 20 digs through six sets while Platt added 10. FitzHenry totaled four blocks on the day.
 
The Choctaws attempted to the tie the contest in the second set of the opening match against the Sailfish. After a back-and-forth opening to the set, PBA went on an 8-1 run towards the back half of the set as it took a 20-13 advantage. The Navy and Gold battled back to cut the deficit to 20-17 with a 4-0 run and eventually pulled within a point on three occasions, but couldn't overcome the margin and fell 25-23.
 
In the opening set of the second match of the day, MC held as much as a three-point lead multiple occasions – the last coming at 23-20 following a 4-0 run to grab the advantage. The Tritons rallied to force a 23-all deadlock. MC reached set-point on a Richards' kill, but witnessed Eckerd claim the final three points, including a Joelle Coulter ace to clinch the set, 26-24, and ultimately the match.
 
Mississippi College closes out the Crossover on Saturday, Oct. 23 against Embry-Riddle. First serve is set for 1:30 p.m. central.