CLINTON, Miss. --- The Mississippi College volleyball avenged an earlier season setback with a Gulf South Conference sweep over Union University on Thursday, Nov. 2 inside A.E. Wood Coliseum. The win snapped a five-match slide for the Choctaws, who improved to 10-14 on the season and 8-6 in conference action. The win clinched a berth in the GSC Tournament. It is the fourth consecutive conference tournament bid for the squad and the 14th in program's GSC history.
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The victory gives the Blue and Gold its third in the series and it is the first-ever on its home floor, as it snapped a six-match skid.
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Lydia Paulette and
Caroline Chastang each recorded double-figure kills on the night while
Sloane FitzHenry dazzled at the net with six total blocks. The Houston, Texas, native added tied a career-high in service aces with a team-best four and added three kills to her ledger. The five-year letterwinner currently stands fourth in career total blocks (232) and in block assists (160).
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Paulette led the squad with 16 kills on the night with a .500 attack clip – her second best of the season. It is her 21st match this season with double-digit kills and 45th of her career. The Tuscaloosa, Ala., junior added a team-best nine digs.
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Chastang added 11 kills for her 17th on the campaign and the 34th of her career. The reining GSC Freshman of the Year added a career-high three blocks along with six digs. Â
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Ali Wiggins and
Caylin Pixley directed the offensive effort as Wiggins totaled 15 dimes and Pixley added 11.
Londyn Bakeris picked up eight digs to finish second on the team on the defensive end.
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The Choctaw put together an impressive start with 25-16 and 25-17 wins in the opening sets en route to their sweep of the season – all coming in conference play. The Bulldogs, however, tried to derail the straight sets in the third frame as it battled to a 25-20 loss.
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MC jumped out to a 7-2 advantage in the final set, but saw the Red and White rally and take the lead at 14-13, behind a 3-0 run. The Choctaw responded with a 6-1 run to regain control of the set, but a late charge saw Union pull within a point at 19-18, but the Blue and Gold closed out the frame on a 6-2 run.
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Reese Owens paced the Bulldogs with 10 kills as the team collected 30 on the night – seven fewer than the homestanding Choctaws. MC finished the contest hitting .298 – a season-high. UU posted a .165 clip.
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Mississippi College closes out the regular season home slate on Friday, Nov. 3 as it faces Christian Brothers University on Senior Night. The three Choctaw seniors will honor prior to the match. First serve is at 6 p.m.
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