MONTEVALLO, Ala. --- The Mississippi College volleyball team recorded a program first on Tuesday, Oct. 1 as it topped the University of Montevallo in four sets at Central State Bank Arena. The win is the first for the program on the Falcons' home floor. MC improved to 5-6 on the season and 3-1 in Gulf South Conference action.
 
After dropping a tightly-contested opening set, MC rallied to claim the following three sets and securing the road win – the fourth of the season for the squad and the third in league play.
 
The Blue and Gold used career offensive performances to accomplish the feat. Lydia Paulette matched her career-high and school-record effort with 24 kills. The Tuscaloosa, Ala., native set the record on Oct. 21, 2023 against Florida Southern College. It marks her 59th career match with double-digit kills and her second with 20-plus.
 
Paparella reset her career-high as she registered 12 kills to finished second on the team. The Huntsville, Ala., product's previous high was seven, coming earlier this season against Augusta University on Sept. 21. It is the first double-digit kill performance for the sophomore.
 
The Choctaw offense was directed by a pair of 20-plus assists. Caylin Pixley tied her career-high in assists as she dished out a team-best 27. The effort equals her performance at Union on Sept. 22, 2023. It is her eighth, career contest with 20 or more dimes and her first of the season. Ali Wiggins chimed in 21 assists. It is her sixth of the campaign and 23rd of her career.
 
On the defensive end, Samarin Kipple registered 20 digs. Londyn Bakeris added 14 and Paulette chimed in 12 digs. A trio of Choctaws provided a united effort at the net as Rhaia Davey, Julia Sumrall and Mary Grace Foster registered three blocks each.
 
The Blue and Gold used effective runs in each of the final three sets. The Choctaw used a 7-1 spurt in the second to claim an advantage. Paulette powered the squad through the run as she tallied four points, including two service aces. After the Falcons narrowed the margin to a point, MC tallied three of the last four points to close out the set and knot the match at a set each.
 
Following a 25-21 victory in the third set, which saw two deciding runs of five points or more, the Choctaw opened the fourth with an 11-5 run. The Blue and Gold held as much as an eight-point lead during the deciding set as it claimed a 25-19 victory to clinch the match and land the Magnolia State program its third ever win in the series. The win is the first for the program since 2022.
 
Mississippi College returns to action on Friday, Oct. 4 as it home opens its home slate against Lee University. First serve is set for 5 p.m.