DALLAS — Mississippi Christian University dropped a pair of matches Saturday, falling to No. 7 Nebraska Kearney in straight sets before dropping a four-set decision to DBU at the Burg Center.
The Choctaws fell to Nebraska Kearney 25-4, 25-16, 25-15 in the opening match before battling DBU to a 3-1 finish. MC won the third set against DBU 27-25 to earn its first set victory of the season.
Against Nebraska Kearney, Mississippi Christian struggled to establish an offensive rhythm early as the Lopers used a strong attack and blocking presence to take control of the opening set. Mary Grace Foster, Caroline Downey and Cydney Mitchell each recorded kills, but Nebraska Kearney closed the set 25-4.
The Choctaws showed improved offensive production in the second set, with Emma Levingston, Audrianna Green, Rhaia Davey and Foster contributing kills. Service aces from Meg Paparella and Ava Rothe also helped MC remain competitive, but Nebraska Kearney pulled away late to take the set 25-16.
MC opened the third set with a 2-0 lead before the Lopers responded. Levingston and Green helped the Choctaws tie the set at 4-4, while Davey and Foster continued to provide offensive production. Nebraska Kearney eventually regained control and closed the match with a 25-15 third-set victory.
Samarin Kipple led the Choctaws defensively with 15 digs and added two assists. Mamie Fromdahl finished with 10 assists, while Green recorded five kills and one block assist. Davey added three kills and two total blocks.
Mississippi Christian returned to the court against DBU and put together a much more competitive performance.
The Choctaws battled throughout the opening set, with Foster, Levingston, Davey and Holland Williams contributing kills and blocks. MC rallied late to cut the deficit to four points, but DBU closed the set 25-21.
Mississippi Christian came out strong in the second set, building an early 5-1 advantage behind a service ace and two kills from Williams. Paparella added another ace as the Choctaws extended their lead before DBU responded to tie the set at 8-8.
DBU used a scoring run midway through the set to take control and eventually secured a 25-17 victory.
The Choctaws responded in the third set, playing their most competitive volleyball of the day. Paparella opened the scoring with a kill, while Isabella Reyes and Davey combined for a block. The teams traded points throughout the set before MC took a 13-12 lead following a Kipple ace and Levingston kill.
The set remained tight into the closing points. Davey and Foster contributed key blocks and kills before Davey delivered the final kill to give Mississippi Christian a 27-25 victory and force a fourth set.
DBU answered in the fourth set, overcoming an early MC advantage and gradually building a lead. Davey and Levingston continued to produce offensively, while a block from Davey and Foster helped the Choctaws cut into the deficit.
MC mounted a late rally behind kills from Paparella and Green, but DBU held on for a 25-20 victory to secure the match.
Kipple finished the second match with 20 digs. Davey posted 10 kills and four block assists for 12 points, while Fromdahl recorded 31 assists and 13 digs. Williams added 11 kills and four block assists for 13 points.
Mississippi Christian falls to 0-4 on the season.
The Choctaws will face Erskine on Friday, Sept. 4, at 1 p.m. CT at a neutral site in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
