JACKSON, Tenn. --- Junior Samarin Kipple reached a career milestone as Mississippi College was edged by Union University on Saturday at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. MC moves to 8-13 on the season and 5-6 in Gulf South Conference action.

Kipple entered chasing 1,000 career digs and reached the benchmark in the third set with her 18th dig of the match. The Pilot Mountain, N.C., junior finished the contest with a career-high 31 - surpassing her previous best of 30 against Valdosta State last season. She has 841 in her two seasons at Mississippi College, which is eighth in program history - accompanied by 172 in her first season at Birmingham Southern.

MC spread the offense around with five recording five-plus kills in the contest led by Meg Paparella with 10. Cydney Mitchell, who tied Rhaia Davey on the team with four blocks and added four service aces,  and Ellie Foco added nine each.

Reese Regner delivered 22 assists while maintaining a perfect hitting percentage with one kill on one attempt.

The five-set match marks the sixth of the season for the Choctaws, which are now 4-2 in those efforts.

MC started the first set with solid play, after initially falling behind. A series of kills from Davey, Mary Grace Foster, and Paparella, along with an ace from Maeve Allen, helped MC keep pace and tie the score multiple times. The Blue and Gold managed to build momentum through effective attacking and critical defensive plays. Felicity Pratt and Mitchell contributed key kills, while a block by Audrianna Green and Davey helped regain the lead. The set remained tightly contested, with both teams exchanging points and maintaining a narrow margin.

In the closing moments, MC edged ahead thanks to another kill from Pratt and an attack error by Union's Parker Goff. The set ended with MC securing a 26-24 victory, gaining an early advantage in the contest.

After Union took sets two and three, the Choctaws initiated the fourth set with a steady pace, quickly leading 2-0 with contributions from Foco and capitalizing on an error by Union's Ajahnaea Williams. The team maintained momentum with strong defensive plays, including a block by Davey and Pratt, which added to their early advantage.

After Union attempted to claim the match, MC extended regained momentum and coupled with key blocks from Paparella and Mitchell, extended the lead to 15-11.

The Blue and Gold capitalized on Union's miscues, with Davey delivering crucial kills to maintain the margin. Mitchell's service ace brought the team to the brink of victory, and Davey sealed the set with a final kill. MC concluded the set with a 25-19 triumph, securing their win and sending the match to a decisive set.

In the fifth, MC opened with a point from Foster, tying the score at 1-1. A mid-set surge was sparked by Foco, who delivered two kills, and Regner, who contributed with key assists. This run allowed the visitors to gain a brief lead at 6-4.

UU responded with a series of plays, including two kills from Natalie Supine, leveling the score at 8-8. Despite MC's defensive efforts, the Red and White edged ahead again, reaching an 11-9 advantage. Foco's offensive efforts tied the score at 12-all, but Union quickly countered to regain the lead.

In the final stretch, the Blue and Gold brought the score back to a 14-14 tie, but Union closed the set with two consecutive points, resulting in a 16-14 setback for MC.

The Choctaws return to action on Friday, Oct. 24 as it travels to Livingston, Ala., to face off against West Alabama. First serve is at 6 p.m.