PENSACOLA, Fla. --- The Mississippi College volleyball team continued its quest for the Gulf South Conference title as it swept Trevecca Nazarene University on Friday, Nov. 22 inside the University of West Florida Field House. MC improved to 16-13 on the season.
 
The Choctaw face the University of Alabama in Huntsville on Saturday, Nov. 23 in the semifinals of the tournament – the second appearance for the program and the first since 2022.
 
The victory improved the series record against the Trojans to 4-1 and the first on a neutral floor.
 
MC used an impressive offensive showing as it posted a .357 attack percentage, including a .452 swing clip in the third and matching-clinching set. Lydia Paulette paced the squad with 13 kills – her 74th career contest with double-digit kills. Rhaia Davey posted the best attack percentage for the squad with a .625 clip and six kills – the second most on the team. The Baton Rouge, La., native also proved a threat at the net as she totaled five blocks.
 
The Blue and Gold gathered nine total team blocks with five players recording a rejection in the affair. Meg Paparella and Julia Sumrall finished just behind Davey with three total blocks apiece. Ellie Foco and Paulette each added two.
 
Samarin Kipple gathered 11 digs to assist with the defensive effort and Ali Wiggins and Caylin Pixley directed the offensive performance. Wiggins led the way with 23 assists while Pixley poured in 12 dimes.
 
The Blue and Gold jumped on the Trojans in the opening set to the tune of 25-15, including an 18-8 opening push. MC posted four of its nine team blocks during the stanza and held the Trojans to a -.054 attack percentage.
 
In the second frame, the two teams exchanged deadlocks and lead changes, but the Choctaw gained some distance midway thru the set. However, the Purple and White closed the deficit and trailed by one point late, 22-21, behind a 4-0 run. MC responded with the final three points. Mary Grace Foster started the spurt with a kill and Paulette closed out the set with back-to-back kills off feeds from Wiggins.
 
Much like the second, the third set saw lead changes and stalemates, but the Blue and Gold closed the contest with a 7-1 run to send the Trojans back to the Music City. Four different Choctaw added kills during the final run and Sumrall added one of her three blocks.
 
Tickets are on sale through the UWF Ticket Office. Fans can follow the action GoChoctaws.com/coverage. First serve on Saturday is at 4:30 p.m.