VALDOSTA, Ga. --- The Mississippi College volleyball went to five sets for the sixth time this season and fourth in Gulf South Conference action as it was in search of its first win at Valdosta State University on Friday, Oct. 13. However, the attempt fell short as the Blazers (14-6, 6-2 GSC) rallied to pick up the five-set victory.
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A trio of Choctaws (7-9, 6-3 GSC) moved up the program record list.
Lydia Paulette registered a team-best 17 kills as she advanced up the career list to fourth with 766 during her three-year career in the Blue and Gold. It marked the 14th time this season she's recorded 10-plus kills in a contest and the 38th of her career.
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Sloane FitzHenry moved up the list in all three block categories as she totaled a team-leading five blocks in the contest, which moved her into a tie for fourth in total blocks with 209. The Houston, Texas, native is third in program history with 66 solo blocks and tied for sixth in block assists with 143.
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Missy Beber moved into a tie for sixth in program service aces as she registered one in the setback. The Kennesaw, Ga., product has 90 during her tenure in Clinton. She is three away from reaching the program's top five.
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Caroline Chastang joined Paulette in double-digit kills as she totaled 10 in the contest. The Bay Minette, Ala., product led the team in service aces with three and gathered 15 digs.
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Ali Wiggins and
Caylin Pixley dished out 20-plus assists apiece in the outing. Wiggins led the team with 22 dimes as she reached the mark for the ninth time during the campaign and the 12 of her career. Pixley compiled her seventh contest with 20 or more assists as she posted 20.
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Julia Sumrall finished second on the team in blocks as she registered four in the contest.
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MC evened the match in the fourth set as it bested the Red and Black, 25-22. The Choctaw trailed much of the frame, but drew even at 17-all off a kill from
Adi Kizer. The Blazers responded with two quick points, but again the Blue and Gold knotted the contest at 19-all off a dump kill from Pixley – her only kill of the match and one of two from the Choctaw setters on the evening. The tip sparked a 7-3 MC run to close out the frame as FitzHenry delivered a kill to send the contest to the deciding set – her fourth of the frame.
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In the fifth, the two teams went back and forth with leads and stalemates and stood deadlocked at 11-all following a kill from Paulette. VSU answered with four of the final five points as Paulette registered one more kill to force a hiccup in the Blazers final run.
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MC jumped out to big sizeable advantage in third set as it led by as many as six points. The Choctaw held set point following a VSU attack error, but a Mallory Roney kill delayed the set finisher and pulled the Red and Black to within a point of tying the frame. However, Chastang logged her only kill of the set to delay the straight-set sweep and get the Choctaws on the board.
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Mackenzie Murray paced the Blazers with 16 kills as she one of three to reach double figures in the category. Jojo Smith added 13 while Roney supplied 11. Audrey Bennett notched 51 assists in the win.
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Mississippi College returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 14 as it continues its trip of the Peach State and travels to Carrollton, Ga., to face the University of West Georgia. First serve is at 1 p.m. central.
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