CLINTON, Miss. --- Mississippi College fell in a tense five-set match against Trevecca Nazarene on Thursday at A.E. Wood Coliseum. It marked the ninth, five-setter of the season for the Choctaws, which leads the Gulf South Conference.

Mary Grace Foster led the team with 14 kills and added 14 assists. Samarin Kipple excelled defensively, recording 17 digs over five games. Sophia Saxon facilitated the offense with a team-high and career-high tying 22 assists along with two kills. Meg Paparella contributed both offensively and defensively, registering 10 kills and eight digs as Rhaia Davey added nine.

MC fell behind 3-0 in the first set, however, they quickly found their rhythm, with a pivotal stretch initiated by a Paparella kill, which broke the opponent's early momentum. A sequence of attack errors from TNU, including a block by Cydney Mitchell, allowed the Choctaws to take the lead.

Kipple's service run further extended MC's advantage to 9-4, supported by contributions from Mitchell and Foster. Trevecca attempted to close the gap, narrowing the score to 17-12, but the Blue and Gold maintained their composure. Audrianna Green and Emma Levingston added crucial points, ensuring MC stayed in front. A decisive kill from Paparella secured the set win 25-22 despite a late charge from the Trojans.

MC began the second set with a strong offensive push, as Levingston and Foster contributed key kills that kept the score within reach. A service ace by Rylie Widener further tightened the margin, bringing them to a 13-all deadlock. However, Trevecca capitalized on a series of errors and effective kills from Reese Payne and Katilyn Grant to regain the lead. Despite a late kill from Foster, the set concluded with the Purple and Gray pulling ahead to secure a 25-16 victory.

The Blue and Gold opened the third set with an advantage, capitalizing on a service error by Trevecca Nazarene to take an early lead. However, Trevecca quickly responded and built momentum through consistent play, pushing the score to 6-3 in their favor. MC regained some ground with a kill from Foster and a subsequent service ace, narrowing the gap to 6-5.

Despite the effort, MC faced a strong run from the Trojans, who extended their lead to 15-8. The Choctaws continued to challenge their opponents, with Felicity Pratt and Paparella contributing crucial kills. MC attempted a late rally, fueled by kills from Davey and Foster, reducing the deficit to 24-19, ultimately, Trevecca secured the set with a final kill, concluding the set with a 25-19 victory.

The fourth set began with a service error from MC, but Foster quickly responded with a kill, leveling the score. Pratt's kill and a service ace from Paparella helped MC maintain a slight edge. Midway through the set, the Blue and Gold built a lead with a series of attack errors from the visitors from the  Volunteer State and blocks by Holland Williams.

Despite a service ace from Trevecca Nazarene that tied the score at 14-14, MC regained momentum with Williams leading a blocking effort and contributing kills. Davey extended the lead with decisive plays, and a final block by Williams closed out the set, 25-19.

The fifth set began with the Trojans quickly gaining momentum, scoring the first eight points due to MC's miscues. Despite the initial setback, the Choctaws responded with a kill from Foster to break the streak. MC managed to gain additional points with contributions from Foster and Davey, reducing the deficit to 11-6.

The Blue and Gold continued to chip away at Trevecca's lead, including a kill from Pratt and an attack error forced by Maeve Allen, bringing the score to 14-10. However, TNU maintained their edge and closed the set with a 15-10 victory.

MC hosts Lee as the calendar flips to November. First serve is 1 p.m.