ARKADELPHIA, Ark. --- The Mississippi College volleyball split on the final day of the Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University co-hosted Reddie-Tiger Invitational. The Choctaws avenged a five-set loss to OBU with a four-set victory on the Tigers' home floor to start the day. MC (2-3) fell to HSU in four sets to close out the Invite.
 
A trio of Choctaws compiled 20-plus kills on the afternoon led by Kendall Platt with 24. Freshman Lydia Paulette added 22, including matching a season-high with 12 against the Reddies in the final match of the day. Lexi Richards provided 20 kills.
 
Lexie Laurendine directed the offensive attack with 79 assists during the eight sets today. The Clinton, Miss., junior posted 40 in the win over Ouachita. It marked the fourth match this season with 40-plus assists for Laurendine. She finished the day with 39 assists vs. Henderson State.
 
Defensively on the day, Sloane FitzHenry led the charge at the net. The Houston, Texas, product totaled seven blocks during the two matches while Erin Davis defended the backline with a total of 36 digs.
 
After the two squads stood tied at a set each, MC rattled off back-to-back set wins to claim the match at Ouachita. The Choctaws dominated the Purple and Gold 25-15 in the third set before outlasting the Tigers 29-27 in the fourth. Platt led the charge in the final set as she totaled seven kills and closed the match with an ace. She finished the match with a team-best 13 kills and posted a pair of aces – both coming in the fourth set.
 
Across the ravine, the Reddies jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the match following scores of 25-18 and 25-20. The Navy and Gold rallied back to claim a 25-19 win in the third to extend the match. The two teams stood deadlocked at 13-all in the set before MC rattled off five straight points to grab an 18-13 lead. The Reddies pulled within 20-17 late, but the Choctaws scored five of the last seven points, including a FitzHenry kill to close out the set.
 
MC held a 17-16 lead in the fourth, but witnessed the Red and White post a 7-0 run to take a 23-17 lead. MC battled back with a pair of points, but HSU closed out the set with a Tyasia McGruder block along with a Jacey Tupper kill to close out the match.
 
Mississippi College returns to action on Tuesday, Sept. 21 as it travels to Livingston, Ala., to open Gulf South Conference play against the University of West Alabama. First serve is set for 6 p.m.