ARKADELPHIA, Ark. --- Mississippi College faced tough competition at the Duke Wells Center, experiencing two challenging matches. The Choctaws first fell to Henderson State University in four sets before narrowly losing to Texas-Dallas in five sets. MC's season record now stands at 2-5, while HSU improves to 3-4, and UTD also moves to 2-5.

Mary Grace Foster led MC with 14 kills and added four assists across four frames. Rhaia Davey recorded 12 kills and contributed with two assists, while Samarin Kipple was a key defensive contributor with 22 digs, leading the team in this category. Reese Regner facilitated the offense effectively with 26 assists and added three service aces.

The opening set saw the Reddies secure a 25-14 victory, despite a spirited effort from the Choctaws. Regner facilitated key plays, contributing assists on multiple occasions, including pivotal kills by Holland Williams and Felicity Pratt. Davey and Foster combined effectively, with Davey securing crucial points to keep the visitors competitive throughout the set. However, HSU capitalized on several service errors and attack errors from MC to build and maintain their lead.

The Blue and Gold opened the second set with a strong performance from Pratt, who delivered multiple key kills to keep the match tightly contested. Despite a scoring run by the Reddies that stretched the score to 15-9, MC fought back with contributions from Williams and Foster, cutting the deficit and tying the game at 23-23 with a timely service ace from Regner. However, Henderson State responded with consecutive points to narrowly edge out a 25-23 victory in this tense set.

The Choctaws seized control early in the third set, initiated by Foster's kill at 0-1, followed by a service ace from Sophia Saxon, establishing a 3-1 lead. Regner's consistent setting facilitated key kills, particularly to Foster, who secured multiple points, maintaining the intensity throughout. After a brief tie at 15-15, MC's offense, highlighted by a decisive run including Emma Levingston's three consecutive kills, dominated the closing stages to clinch the set 25-20.

The fourth set began with the Blue and Gold quickly taking the initial lead with a kill by Pratt, assisted by Regner. Despite early errors, the team rallied with significant contributions, including a kill by Ellie Foco at 6-9 and a crucial series of plays by Foster, who tallied multiple kills, narrowing the gap to 11-14. MC showcased resilience, with a late push led by Foco's kill at 20-24, but HSU secured the set 25-20.

In their second match of the day, Mary Grace Foster again led MC with 15 kills, recording a hitting percentage of .433, while adding 20 assists and four blocks over five sets. Ellie Foco contributed 11 kills with a .526 attack percentage and one solo block. Rhaia Davey added 12 kills and matched Foster's four blocks, achieving a .345 hitting percentage. Samarin Kipple posted a perfect attack percentage with one kill on one attempt and led defensively with 16 digs.

The first set saw a back-and-forth battle as MC kept pace with Texas-Dallas, highlighted by a series of successful plays from key players. Foster played a pivotal role, contributing multiple kills and assisting Davey and Foco in clinching points to keep the scoreline tight. A crucial stretch saw the Choctaws amass a small lead at 18-14, before UTD mounted a comeback. Despite Felicity Pratt's late kill narrowing the deficit, Texas-Dallas closed out the set 25-21.

The second set began with the Blue and Gold establishing an early advantage, highlighted by a service ace from Pratt and a block from Williams, taking a 2-0 lead. MC maintained momentum through the middle of the set, highlighted by a 5-0 run that included two kills from Foco and a block from Foster and Williams, extending their lead to 10-7. Despite a late push from Texas-Dallas, the Choctaws closed the set strongly with Davey's kill at 25-18.

MC opened the third set with a strong start, recovering from a service ace by Texas-Dallas' Sydney Sabin to claim a 3-1 lead, featuring back-to-back kills from Foster assisted by Reese Regner. Kipple served a pivotal role with a service ace and assisted kill, contributing to a 6-2 run that put them ahead 8-2. The Blue and Gold maintained momentum with contributions from Davey and Foco, expanding their lead to 18-11. Despite a late push from UTD, MC secured the set 25-20.

The fourth set began with Regner capitalizing on an attack error from Texas-Dallas to give Mississippi College an early lead, but the Comets quickly countered with a series of kills from Moriah Johnson. Pratt and Williams each contributed key kills as the Blue and Gold tried to close the gap. Despite a strong defensive effort by Williams and Pratt, MC ultimately fell short in the set, with a final score of 25-18 in favor of the home team.

The fifth set saw the Choctaws striving to overcome a challenging start against UTD, but Texas-Dallas quickly gained momentum following a series of effective plays. Foster and Regner teamed up early, but UTD responded with a strong offensive streak led by Johnson, who delivered three consecutive kills, pushing the score to 9-3. Foco made a notable impact with two key kills, yet Mississippi College struggled to close the gap, resulting in a 15-7 defeat in the decisive set.

Looking ahead, Mississippi College's team is set to face Lander University on Friday, September 19, in Aiken, S.C. The match will begin at 10 a.m. as they continue their road campaign.