TYLER, Texas --- The Mississippi College volleyball team opened the 2025 season on Friday, Sept. 5 with a pair of matches at the Patriot Classic, falling to Ferris State University and Ouachita Baptist University.

The Choctaws began the day against perennial power and fifth ranked Ferris State. The Choctaws started slow, falling in the first set, but responded with stronger play in the second and third frames, pushing Ferris State deep into rallies. Rhaia Davey was a standout at the net, finishing with eight kills on an efficient .444 hitting percentage while adding four blocks. Mary Grace Foster contributed seven kills and four digs, while Meg Paparella recorded five kills, eight digs, and chimed in three service aces. Reese Regner guided the offense with 21 assists, and libero Samarin Kipple paced the back row with a team-high 18 digs.

In the afternoon match, MC squared off with Ouachita, narrowly missing a fourth set as it fell 25-23 in the third set. Davey once again led the Choctaws with eight kills, finishing with 16 on the day. Foster continued her strong two-way play with seven kills, 14 assists, and seven digs, while Paparella added five kills and a team-best 14 digs. Cydney Mitchell chipped in four kills and two blocks, and Kipple turned in another strong defensive effort with 17 digs.

The Choctaws continue play at the Patriot Classic on Saturday, Sept. 6 with two more matches. The Blue and Gold take on the University of Texas at Dallas at 1 p.m., before closing out the day against the host University of Texas at Tyler at 5 p.m.