DALLAS — Mississippi Christian opened the 2026 volleyball season with a pair of losses Friday at the Dallas Classic, falling to Biola in straight sets before dropping a three-set match to Colorado Mesa at the Burg Center.
The Choctaws (0-2) fell to Biola, 26-24, 25-15, 25-20, in Friday morning's opener before Colorado Mesa posted a 25-14, 25-13, 25-12 victory in the afternoon.
Against Biola, Mississippi Christian battled throughout the opening set and nearly grabbed an early advantage. The Choctaws took a late 24-23 lead after a block from Harper Green and Aubrie Lay, but Biola scored the final three points to take the set, 26-24.
Holland Williams led MC with six kills in the opener, while Lay recorded two service aces and four block assists. Mamie Fromdahl finished with two kills on two attempts for a perfect 1.000 hitting percentage and added nine assists. Reese Regner also recorded nine assists and 11 digs.
The Choctaws struggled to regain momentum in the second set as Biola built an early lead and pulled away for a 25-15 victory. MC opened the third set with a 2-0 advantage and later led 10-6 following a service ace from Fromdahl, but Biola answered with a decisive run. Mississippi Christian cut the deficit to 23-19 late in the set before Biola closed out the match, 25-20.
Colorado Mesa presented another challenge in Friday's second match, hitting .361 as a team while holding the Choctaws to 25 kills.
Mississippi Christian fell behind 9-0 early in the opening set but received a spark from Cydney Mitchell, who recorded a kill and a service ace during the MC response. Colorado Mesa maintained control, however, and took the first set, 25-14.
The Choctaws showed stretches of offensive pressure in the second set behind kills from Ellie Foco and Rhaia Davey, but Colorado Mesa continued to build its advantage and won 25-13.
MC opened the third set with a kill from Meg Paparella, assisted by Sophia Saxon, but Colorado Mesa quickly regained the lead. The Choctaws received late kills from Mitchell and contributions from Caroline Downey and Fromdahl, but the Mavericks closed out the match, 25-12.
Downey led MC with five kills in the match, while Mitchell added four kills on a .600 hitting percentage, along with two blocks and a service ace. Samarin Kipple recorded a team-high 12 digs, and Regner finished with five assists and three digs while going 1-for-1 on attacks.
Mississippi Christian will have two more opportunities to earn its first win of the season Saturday at the Dallas Classic. The Choctaws face No. 7 Nebraska Kearney at 10 a.m. CT before taking on host Dallas Baptist at 3 p.m.
Both matches will be played at the Burg Center in Dallas.
