CLEVELAND, Tenn. --- Mississippi College fell to Lee University in a tense five-set, Gulf South Conference match at Paul Dana Walker Arena. MC (7-8, 4-1 GSC) snapped the Choctaws conference win streak.

Mary Grace Foster led the Blue and Gold with 15 kills and added 22 assists, contributing significantly to her 17 points. Holland Williams recorded 12 kills on a .385 hitting percentage, complementing her performance with three blocks. Reese Regner supplied three kills, while also contributing 21 assists. Felicity Pratt delivered three service aces and added four digs to her nine-point total.

MC opened the first set with a decisive start, marked by an early kill from Meg Paparella set by Samarin Kipple, jumping to a 1-0 lead. The team maintained momentum through effective attacks and key defensive plays, including a block by Cydney Mitchell and Emma Levingston that increased the score to 4-2. MC capitalized on Lee's errors and extended their advantage with a service ace by Mitchell, widening the gap to 6-3.

As the set progressed, the Choctaws continued to apply pressure, with Emma Levingston and Paparella delivering crucial kills. Despite Lee's brief rallies, including a service ace by Mitchell and consistent setting from Regner, MC maintained their lead. Foster cemented a 25-20 victory for the Choctaws in the first set as she added a kill.

In the second set, MC started strong by overcoming an early 3-0 deficit to level the score at 3-3, highlighted by Paparella's service ace. Lee responded with a series of points, pulling ahead 7-4, but Foster's kill from Regner narrowed the gap to 7-5. MC then rallied to tie the game again at 12-12, bolstered by a service ace and a kill from Foster.

The teams exchanged points, with the Choctaws staying competitive at 17-17 after another kill by Williams. However, Lee capitalized on key opportunities to extend their lead, reaching 23-17. Despite a late push from MC, which included a point from Ellie Foco, Lee closed the set with a 25-20 win.

The third set began with Williams securing an early point with a kill from Foster's assist, setting the tone for a competitive exchange. Despite a service error by Pratt that allowed Lee to tie, MC responded with another kill by Williams, keeping the score tight at 3-2.

As the set progressed, Foster's attack remained effective, contributing multiple kills and enabling MC to level the score at 8-8 after a service ace by Paparella. The teams traded points, with MC staying close, thanks to consistent plays from both Foster and Regner, reaching a 14-14 tie. 

Entering the latter stages, The Blue and Gold pulled ahead with a service ace from Foster, but struggled to maintain the lead as Lee capitalized on a series of errors. Despite a late effort by Foco to reduce the deficit, Lee closed the set with a 25-21 advantage, claiming the set.

In the fourth set, MC capitalized on key moments to maintain pressure against Lee. Early on, the Choctaws responded to Lee's service ace with a service ace of their own by Kipple, leveling the score. Pratt continued this momentum with another service ace, briefly pulling ahead.

MC gained further ground with Williams and Pratt teaming up for a block, followed by a series of kills from Pratt and Regner. Despite Lee's attempts to rally, the Blue and Gold kept the score tight and took control late in the set.

As the set reached its crucial stages, MC secured consecutive points with a service ace from Paparella and kills by Pratt. The set closed with MC sealing the win 25-22, highlighted by a final service ace from Kipple.

The fifth set began with the Blue and Gold trailing early as Lee secured a 4-1 lead, leveraging a service ace and a kill by Sara Palumbo. MC responded with a kill from Pratt to momentarily halt Lee's momentum, but Lee extended their advantage to 7-2.

MC fought back with a service ace by Sophia Saxon and a block from Mitchell and Foster, narrowing the gap to 9-6. Despite another kill by Foster from Mitchell's assist, the team trailed 12-7 after a subsequent service error.

Lee maintained their lead with consistent offensive plays, ending the set 15-10. The Choctaws continued to press with defensive efforts, including a block by Williams and Foster, but ultimately could not close the gap.

The next challenge for MC comes on Saturday, Oct. 4 against Trevecca Nazarene. First serve is slated for 1 p.m., in Nashville, Tenn.