CLINTON, Miss. --- The Mississippi College volleyball team prepares to open its 2025 season this weekend as it makes the westward trek on Interstate-20 to the Lone Star State, competing in the University of Texas at Tyler, Patriot Classic, Sept. 5-6.
 
All four matches are set to be streamed on FloCollege.
 
MC opens the tournament on Friday, Sept. 5 against nationally ranked Ferris State University. The Bulldogs enter the contest ranked in the top five of the American Volleyball Coaches Association Preseason Poll. The Red and Gold are the first top five opponent for the Choctaws since Oct. 21, 2023 as it competed against the University of Tampa in the Gulf South Conference-Sunshine State Conference Crossover.
 
The Blue and Gold close out the opening day against Ouachita Baptist University at 2 p.m. It marks the seventh meeting between the two schools. MC topped the Tigers in five sets last season in Arkadelphia, Ark., in the Reddie-Tiger Invitational.
 
MC was selected fourth in the 2025 Gulf South Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league office announced on Tuesday, Aug. 26. The Choctaws collected 66 points in the poll, tying with Valdosta State. Defending league champion West Florida earned the top spot with 10 first-place votes, followed by UAH and Lee.
 
The Choctaws, who return a strong core under second-year head coach Bentley Odom, also saw three players highlighted on the GSC Newcomer Watchlist. Leading the list of new faces for the Blue and Gold are Vanessa Hurnikova, a fifth-year transfer outside hitter from Stetson University; Sophia Saxon, a freshman setter from Saraland, Ala.; and Holland Williams, a freshman middle blocker out of Prattville, Ala.
 
MC looks to lean on seven juniors returning from last season. Three of the juniors played in all 30 matches last season (Ellie Foco, Mary Grace Foster, Samarin Kipple). Meg Paparella saw action in 29 matches with Rhaia Davey competing in 28 contests. Felicity Pratt and Cydney Mitchell saw action in 14 matches.
 
The Choctaws will take on seven opponents who reached the NCAA Tournament in 2024, highlighting a challenging 2025 schedule. The season opener comes against Ferris State, which advanced to the tournament quarterfinals last season. Lander made the third round with Augusta in the second round. Ouachita, UT Tyler, USC-Aiken and West Florida received berths into the NCAA postseason.
 
First serve against FSU is Noon inside the Louise Herrington Patriot Center. Fans can the action from Tyler on GoChoctaws.com.