CLINTON, Miss. --- Mississippi College fell to Valdosta State in a four-set match. MC moves to 7-11 on the season and 4-4 in Gulf South Conference action.
The setback snapped a five-match, home win streak for the Blue and Gold.
Cydney Mitchell recorded a team-high five total blocks and added nine kills with a .368 hitting percentage while
Mary Grace Foster led the team with 13 kills.
Reese Regner facilitated the offense with 14 assists while also collecting seven digs.
Felicity Pratt contributed defensively with nine digs, including two service aces.
MC opened the first set with a block by Mitchell and
Meg Paparella, putting the team on the scoreboard first. However, VSU responded with a strong service run by Macy Brown, which included multiple aces and kills, allowing them to build a significant lead. The Choctaws managed to break Valdosta State's momentum with kills from Mitchell and Pratt, closing the gap slightly. Valdosta State maintained its lead and eventually closed the set with a 25-15 advantage.
In the second set, MC capitalized on key errors by the Blazers to build momentum. Early kills by
Audrianna Green and Mitchell, allowed the Choctaws to maintain a narrow lead. The Red and Black briefly rallied, but MC responded with a series of kills from
Holland Williams and Pratt, supplemented by back-to-back service aces from Pratt, pushing the score to 12-7. The Blue and Gold extended its advantage, highlighted by pivotal contributions from Foster and Mitchell. A late surge from VSU narrowed the gap, but Paparella's decisive kill secured the set for MC at 25-22.
The third set began with MC attempting to regain momentum, but Valdosta State quickly established control. The Blue and Gold initially struggled as the Blazers capitalized on early errors, opening a 3-0 lead. A kill by Paparella from
Reese Regner provided a brief response, but consistent scoring from Valdosta State maintained their advantage. Midway through the set, MC managed a series of successful plays, including kills from Foster and Green, narrowing the gap to 10-7. However, Valdosta State responded with a decisive series of points, extending their lead through effective kills and capitalizing on errors, eventually closing the set with a 25-12 win.
In the fourth set, MC faced intense pressure from Valdosta State as the set began with the Blue and Gold trailing. Valdosta initiated the set with a service ace from Avery Mullins, quickly followed by a kill from Eva LaRochelle, creating an early momentum that MC sought to counter. Despite a few strong kills from Foster, assisted by
Sophia Saxon, MC struggled to close the gap as Valdosta State maintained their lead. Mitchell's consecutive kills helped MC inch closer, narrowing the score to 11-10. However, service errors hindered their progress, and Valdosta State capitalized on these errors to extend their lead once more. MC continued to fight back with kills from Williams and collaborative blocks from
Emma Levingston and Mitchell, but Valdosta State's persistent offense led by Asia Montagnani maintained their advantage. As the set approached its conclusion, MC's efforts, highlighted by Foster's consistent performance, brought them to within a few points. However, Valdosta State secured the set with a kill from Montagnani, ending the set 25-21 in favor of the visitors.
MC will face off against West Florida on Saturday, October 11, at 1 p.m. in Clinton, Miss.
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