TYLER, Texas - In their first match against each other since 2013, the UT Dallas volleyball team battled Mississippi College to a 25-18, 27-25, 27-25 loss on Saturday at the Herrington Patriot Center, wrapping up the Patriot Classic.

The first set began with the Choctaws (1-2) taking a 4-1 lead, fueled by consecutive service aces from Meg Paparella. The Comets (0-4) stayed close with a service ace by Sydney Sabin, bringing the score to 10-9, but MC extended their lead with a series of kills by Rhaia Davey. Following a brief comeback attempt by UTD, Mississippi College sealed the set 25-18, aided by two late service aces from Paparella.

In the second set, the Choctaws gained an early 2-0 lead with consecutive blocks. The Comets responded with a series of kills by Jada Williams and Jane Burkhardt, keeping the score close. MC then capitalized on UTD's service errors, taking a 10-8 advantage. However, UTD fought back with a rally led by Moriah Johnson's multiple kills, leveling the score at 24-24. Despite this comeback, the Choctaws secured the set 27-25, concluding with a service ace.

The third set commenced with MC taking an early 3-0 lead. UTD leveled the score at 8-8 with a service ace by Williams and key blocks by their defense. A strong serving run by Burkhardt helped UTD build a 13-8 advantage, but the Choctaws countered with a service ace and regained the lead at 22-17. UTD fought back to tie the game at 24-24 with a kill by freshman Tylee Hale, but ultimately, Mississippi College secured the set 27-25 with a kill by Mary Grace Foster and a Comet attack error.

The Comets hit .081 on 34 kills, four aces, four blocks and 50 digs. The Choctaws recorded a .174 percentage with 36 kills, eight aces, six blocks and 47 digs.

The teams had previously battled each other 21 times from 2004-13 as opponents in the American Southwest Conference. The Comets lead the all-time series 21-1.

UT Dallas Performances  
Jane Burkhardt - 11 kills, 8 digs
Moriah Johnson - 9 kills, 1 solo block
Tylee Hale - 5 kills, 1 solo block
Mari Hernandez - 15 digs, 4 assists
Kira Braun - 15 assists, 6 digs
Sydney Sabin - 11 assists, 2 aces, 7 digs
Laura See  - 2 solo blocks

Mississippi College Top Performers  
Mary Grace Foster - 11 kills, .381 hitting percentage, 2 blocks
Meg Paparella - 4 aces, 10 digs, 2 blocks
Rhaia Davey - 7 kills, 4 blocks
Reese Regner - 29 assists, 1 block, 9 digs
Holland Williams - 6 kills, 5 blocks, .364 percentage

Up Next
UTD and MC will face off again on Friday, September 12 at 9 a.m. to commence the Reddie-Tiger Invitational in Arkadelphia, Ark.