ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — Mississippi Christian fell to UT Tyler 3-0 on Saturday at Duke Wells Center, dropping sets 25-20, 25-16 and 25-18.

The Choctaws finished with 31 kills and a .076 hitting percentage, while UT Tyler hit .194 and held an 8-1 advantage in service aces.

Mississippi Christian controlled much of the opening set before UT Tyler used a 7-0 run to erase a 17-13 Choctaw lead and take a 20-17 advantage. MC pulled within three points at 23-20 after a UT Tyler service error and a block by Cydney Mitchell, but the Patriots closed the set 25-20.

UT Tyler carried its momentum into the second set, turning a 6-5 lead into an 11-5 advantage with five straight points. MC cut the deficit to 16-11 following a Mitchell block, but the Patriots maintained control and finished the set 25-16.

The Choctaws again battled in the third set, but UT Tyler built a 14-6 lead before MC answered with four consecutive points. A Mitchell service ace and three UT Tyler attack errors helped the Choctaws cut the deficit to 14-10.

MC continued to fight late, using kills from Mary Grace Foster, Mamie Fromdahl and Maeve Allen to cut into the deficit. Mitchell added another kill before UT Tyler closed the match with a 25-18 third-set victory.

Mitchell led the Choctaws defensively at the net with five total blocks, including four solo blocks, while adding four kills and hitting .333. Foster led MC with eight kills and added three digs.

Samarin Kipple collected 18 digs and five assists, while Fromdahl finished with 14 assists and eight digs.

The Choctaws remain in Arkadelphia for their second match of the day, facing Missouri S&T at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.