CLINTON, Miss. --- The Mississippi College volleyball team matched its best start in program history as the Choctaws (10-0) opened Gulf South Conference action with a four-set win over Christian Brothers University on Tuesday, Sept. 13.
 
The start equals the mark set by the 1994 squad, which finished the season 21-8.
 
A pair of underclassmen led the offensive charge on the night for the Navy and Gold. Sophomore Lydia Paulette provided a season-high 16 kills to lead the team while freshman Caroline Chastang added 13 kills – one off her season-best of 13 kills. Lexie Laurendine added 26 assists to lead the squad – her fifth contest with 20-plus dimes. Ali Wiggins chimed in 15 assists in the contest.
 
A pair of underclassmen also paced the squad at the net as freshman Adi Kizer led the team with four blocks while sophomore Julia Sumrall collected three rejections. Missy Beber led the team with 18 digs followed by Londyn Bakeris with 10.
 
After MC took the opening set 25-16, the Choctaws held its neighbors from the Volunteer State to the second fewest points in a set this season as they held CBU to nine points en route to 16-point victory and a 2-0 advantage.
 
The Lady Buccaneers were not traveling back to the Land of Delta Blues without a fight, as it forced a fourth set following a 25-22 win in the third. The set victory for the visitors marks just the fourth set this season the Navy and Gold have dropped all season.
 
MC responded in the fourth in dramatic fashion as a strung together a 7-1 run to capture a 20-12 lead midway through the set. CBU attempted a rally as it pulled within 24-18, but Chastang slammed the door with a kill off an assist from Laurendine to ice the contest and send the Red and Black northward on its ship.
 
The four-set victory on its home floor marks the first for the program since Oct. 30, 2021 as it toppled Lee University. The win also marks just the sixth in series history for the Navy and Gold and is fourth on its home floor. It is also the fourth straight in the series.
 
It is the first time the Choctaws have won their conference, home opener since Sept. 24, 2019 – a sweep of the University of West Alabama.
 
Mississippi College takes its streak on the road this weekend as it travels to the Yellowhammer State. The two-match, road trip opens against the University of Montevallo on Friday, Sept. 16. First serve set for 6 p.m. The road swing concludes on Saturday, Sept. 17 in Huntsville, Ala., against the University of Alabama in Huntsville. First serve against the Chargers is 1 p.m.
 
 
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