VALDOSTA, Ga. — Despite falling to Valdosta State 3-2 on Sunday, Mississippi Christian punched its ticket to the Gulf South Conference Tournament, scheduled for Nov. 12-14, following a Union loss over the weekend.
The Choctaws (9-16, 6-7 GSC) rallied to force a fifth set with a 25-18 win in the fourth before the Blazers (14-12, 8-6 GSC) closed out the match with a 15-11 decision in the final set.
Meg Paparella led MC with 15 kills, 30 digs and 17.5 points. Rhaia Davey added 14 kills while hitting .303 and recording three total blocks. Reese Regner finished with 42 assists and 17 digs, while Samarin Kipple collected 24 digs and five assists.
The Choctaws dropped the opening set 25-21 before responding with a 25-22 win in the second. MC rallied from an early four-point deficit in the third set and tied the score at 20-20, but Valdosta State closed the set with four consecutive points to take a 2-1 match lead.
Facing a must-win fourth set, MC built leads of 9-4 and 17-12 before the Blazers pulled within one at 18-17. The Choctaws answered with six straight points, fueled by five consecutive service points from Regner, to take control. Davey recorded the final kill to send the match to a deciding fifth set.
The teams traded points early in the fifth before Valdosta State used a three-point run to take a 10-7 lead. MC fought back within one at 10-9 and again at 13-11 but could not complete the comeback as the Blazers scored the final two points.
With a postseason berth secured, the Choctaws return home Tuesday to host Union at 6 p.m. at A.E. Wood Coliseum in Clinton, Mississippi.
