CLINTON, Miss. — Mississippi Christian lost to Valdosta State 3-1 Friday at A.E. Wood Coliseum. The Choctaws took the opening set 25-17 before dropping the next three, 24-26, 23-25, and 16-25, according to school officials.
Mississippi Christian led early in the first set, with Meg Paparella and Cydney Mitchell helping build a 5-1 advantage. The team extended its lead to 19-11 after a series of kills from Paparella and a block from Mitchell. Valdosta State responded with a late rally, but Mitchell finished the set with a kill and an ace to secure the 25-17 win.
The Blue and Gold stayed competitive into the second set, moving ahead 23-22 after a Valdosta State attack error. However, the visitors responded and took the set 26-24, with Holland Williams tying it late with a kill. Williams also contributed 15 points, 11 kills, and four solo blocks for Mississippi College.
Mississippi College pushed the third set to 21-21 but couldn’t close it out, losing 25-23. The team built an early 5-1 lead but was eventually overtaken by Valdosta State, which finished the set on a late run. In the final set, the visitors sealed the match with a 25-16 victory, despite late rally efforts from the Choctaws.
Williams led the team with 15 points and 11 kills. Paparella added 12 kills and 10 digs, while Samarin Kipple recorded 21 digs. Reese Regner dished out 19 assists and added seven digs. Mississippi College will host AUM on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Clinton, officials said.
