CLINTON, Miss. – The University of West Alabama volleyball team fell to Mississippi Christian 3-1 Saturday afternoon inside A.E. Wood Coliseum. The Choctaws claimed the Gulf South Conference matchup by scores of 26-24, 25-20, 18-25 and 25-21.
West Alabama battled through a closely contested opening set before Mississippi Christian gained a two-set advantage. The Tigers responded with a strong third-set performance to extend the match, but the Choctaws held on in the fourth to secure the conference victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tigers opened the afternoon in a closely contested first set, pushing Mississippi Christian beyond the regulation 25-point mark. Despite keeping the score tight, West Alabama was unable to finish the set as the Choctaws escaped with a 26-24 victory.
West Alabama struggled to establish an offensive rhythm in the second set, recording 10 kills against eight attack errors for a .049 hitting percentage. Mississippi Christian capitalized with 12 kills and six blocks to claim a 25-20 victory and take a two-set advantage.
Facing a 2-0 deficit, West Alabama delivered its strongest offensive performance of the afternoon in the third set. The Tigers recorded 14 kills with just four errors on 44 attempts for a .227 hitting percentage.
West Alabama also found success from the service line, recording four aces in the third set. The improved offensive execution helped the Tigers earn a 25-18 victory and extend the match into a fourth.
The Tigers looked to carry that momentum into the fourth set, but Mississippi Christian answered with 13 kills while hitting .171. West Alabama continued to compete, but nine kills and seven attack errors limited the Tigers offensively. The Choctaws eventually secured the 25-21 victory to complete the four-set win.
TIGER STANDOUTS
Klára Bobánová led the West Alabama offense with 12 kills, seven digs and two service aces. Jazlyn Snow and Raven Grant each added eight kills, while Duru Seber and Cadence Goeden contributed six apiece.
Rachele Zanini directed the offense with 35 assists and added 12 digs. Charlotte Kersch anchored the defensive effort with a team-high 19 digs, while Olivia Winiarski contributed 11 digs and three service aces.
West Alabama finished with 43 kills, 41 assists, 78 digs and six service aces while recording a .110 team hitting percentage.
Mississippi Christian was led by M. Foster with 16 kills, while C. Mitchell added 11 and R. Davey contributed 10. The Choctaws finished with 54 kills, 86 digs and 10 total blocks while hitting .139 as a team.
UP NEXT
West Alabama returns to Gulf South Conference action Friday, Oct. 23, traveling to Valdosta, Georgia, to face Valdosta State University. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT inside The Complex.
