CLINTON, Miss. --- Mississippi College defeated Montevallo in four sets on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at A.E. Wood Coliseum, winning 25-27, 25-16, 29-27, 25-20. MC improved to 7-7 on the season and 4-0 in Gulf South Conference play. The start is the best in conference action since 2011. Â
MC, which has won four of the last five in the series, including three straight, recorded a season-high 15 service aces. It is the third straight match with 10-plus aces.
The first set opened with MC getting off to a challenging start, as Montevallo quickly capitalized on initial errors to build an early lead. The Choctaws responded with effective plays from
Cydney Mitchell and
Rhaia Davey, narrowing the gap with strategic kills and service aces. However, UM maintained pressure, extending their advantage and forcing MC into a series of attack errors.
As the set progressed, the Choctaws mounted a comeback, highlighted by a series of service aces and impactful kills from Davey and
Ellie Foco, leveling the score at 21-21. Despite this late surge, UM managed to regain control, edging out MC 27-25 to close the set. The Choctaws showed resilience, but Montevallo's consistent execution secured the lead.
The second set began with a significant shift in momentum as MC capitalized on Montevallo's errors and strong service plays.
Maeve Allen contributed a pivotal service ace, increasing the Blue and Gold's edge, and Davey added another pair of aces to further extend the lead. MC's offensive pressure continued with key kills from Foco and
Meg Paparella, creating a commanding 10-5 advantage.
The Choctaws maintained their momentum with consistent scoring from
Emma Levingston and
Holland Williams, while
Mary Grace Foster's service ace added to the scoring drive. Despite Montevallo's attempts to close the gap with a series of kills, the Choctaws secured the set with a 25-16 finish, closing decisively with a kill by Paparella from Foster. The home team ended the set with a strong nine-point victory.
The third set began with Montevallo gaining an early lead, but MC quickly responded. Foster initiated the comeback with a key kill assisted by
Reese Regner, sparking a series of points that allowed MC to tie the set at 4-4. As the set progressed, Mississippi College capitalized on Montevallo's errors and strong plays by Levingston and Foco to maintain a narrow advantage.
Midway through the set, MC built momentum with significant contributions from Paparella, whose timely kills kept the score tight. Despite Montevallo's efforts to regain control, MC's defensive stops, including blocks by Davey and Williams, were pivotal in regaining the lead.
In a dramatic conclusion to the set, MC showcased resilience, exchanging points with Montevallo in a tense finish. Ultimately, MC secured the set with a 29-27 victory, highlighted by decisive kills from Davey and Foco, clinching the set and maintaining the lead.
MC opened the fourth set with immediate pressure, capitalizing on a service error by Montevallo. Despite an early back-and-forth, MC's defense, led by Davey, forced a critical attack error by Danielle Greene to level the score at 2-2. Foco and Regner's kills turned the tide, as MC pulled ahead to 8-6 through a series of Montevallo attack errors.
Foco maintained momentum with key kills alongside Foster, establishing a 13-11 lead. MC's offense continued to press, with Levingston and Williams contributing pivotal points. The team extended their lead to 19-13, bolstered by a service ace from Davey.
Montevallo attempted a late rally, closing to 22-19, but MC's offense proved too resilient. Foco's decisive kill brought the score to 24-20, and Paparella sealed the set with a final kill, securing a 25-20 victory in the set.
MC returns to action on Friday, Oct. 3 as it travels to Cleveland, Tenn., to face Lee. First serve at 5 p.m. CT.
