BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- A Mississippi College volleyball trio headlines the 2022 Gulf South Conference Preseason release as announced by the conference office on Tuesday, Aug. 9.

Lexie Laurendine, Kendall Platt and Lydia Paulette were named the conference's 10-member preseason team. The three preseason nods are the most by any school on the list this season and the most in program history.
 
Laurendine is a two-time All-GSC selection, following her accolade last season. The program's all-time assist leader also grabbed the award in 2019. Last season, the Clinton, Miss., native finished 16th in the NCAA Division II in triple-doubles and tied for lead in the GSC. She led the team in assists and finished third on the team in digs and service aces.
 
Platt stands the program's all-time kills leader. Last season, she led the team in kills and service aces. The Anaheim, Calif., product finished second on the team in digs and finished fifth on the team in assists and blocks. During the summer, Platt spent time overseas as she played on collegiate teams in Brazil and Italy.
 
During her debut season, Paulette made an impact as she was named to the 2021 GSC All-Tournament Team. She finished third on the team in kills and was fourth on the squad in blocks. The Tuscaloosa, Ala., native also joined Platt as the duo toured Brazil.
 
MC looks to capitalize on its success during the 2021 campaign, which saw the squad reach the conference tournament semifinals for the first time in program history. The Choctaws were tabbed sixth by the conference's head coaches in the preseason poll and notched 73 points.
 
2021 GSC Champion, the University of West Florida (121), headlines the poll as they grabbed 11 of the 12 first-place votes. The University of Alabama in Huntsville (108) sits second with the University of Montevallo (93) in third. The Falcons picked up the remaining first-place vote. Shorter University (84) and Union University (81) rounded out the top five.
 
Auburn University of Montgomery (69) sits behind the Choctaws on the list. The University of West Georgia (55) is eighth followed by fellow Peach State institution, Valdosta State University (40). Lee University (33), University of West Alabama (19) and Christian Brothers University (16) rounded out the poll.
 
Among the conference's preseason release are the top newcomers to the league. Caroline Chastang, Adi Kizer and Ali Wiggins represent the Choctaws on the list.
 
Wiggins comes to MC from Coastal Alabama Community College. She was a two-time all-region selection and earned all-district laurels last season. She totaled 317 kills, 804 assists, 423 digs, 66 aces and 59 blocks. Wiggins prepped at Enterprise High School, where she was named to the AHSAA South All-Star Team and a three-time selection to the Dothan Eagle Super 12. She recorded 1,006 kills, 2016 assists, 906 digs, service aces 174, 130 blocks.
 
Kizer prepped at Houston High School for Becky Pendleton, where she helped lead the team to a state runner-up finish in 2019. She was named to the 2021 AVCA All-American Watchlist and the 2020 Phenom Watchlist. She's a two-time all-district selection. She also earned 2021 Region 8 and D1 All-Metro Team.
Chastang hails from Bay Minette, Ala., and played at historic powerhouse Bayside Academy for Ann Schilling. She grabbed 2022 Female Athlete of the Year honors and is a two-time member of the all-state tournament team.
 
Head coach Shawna Laurendine's 2022 edition returned to campus on Saturday, Aug 6.
 
Mississippi College returns to action on Friday, Aug. 26 as it travels to Jackson, Tenn., for the Union Classic.