Valley stuns Alcorn State in five-set thriller

ITTA BENA, Mississippi – The Devilettes of Mississippi Valley State University claimed their first win in Southwestern Athletic Conference play Monday in exciting fashion.

Trailing two sets to none against Alcorn State, the Devilettes fought back to take a five-set victory from the Lady Braves in front of their largest crowd of the season on Dig Pink Night.

Scores of the match were 14-25, 24-26, 25-19, 25-19, and 15-13.

Taylor Selfridge and Destini Banks knocked down 11 kills apiece for the Devilettes (3-19), who improved to 1-7 in SWAC play; Banks had six of her kills in set four alone.

Selfridge combined her 11 kills with 22 digs for her third double-double of the season. She was also in on three blocks in the match, while Banks took part in six blocks. Appropriately enough, it was also Selfridge and Banks who had the match-ending point when they blocked an attack from Alondra Rivera Modesto.

The win was Valley's first five-set triumph in three tries against SWAC competition and gives the team a much-needed boost of confidence as they prepare for their next match at Jackson State on Thursday.

BOX SCORE

Tyler Caliste knocked down nine kills for the Devilettes, while Chardea Berthelot put away eight kills. Ariana Austin tallied 29 assists from the setter position, and teammate Brooklyn Hudson handed out 11 assists.

Valley's defensive effort was led by Jessica Bell's 26 digs. Kalin Barnes tallied 15 digs during the match, while Kiya Garza recorded 10 digs.

Daharri Thompkins and Mae Lewis each had 11 kills to lead Alcorn State (5-13, 3-6 SWAC).

The Devilettes and their fans began to sense a comeback in set four. Though they fell behind 11-6 in the set, Valley ran off five consecutive points to tie the match, with Barnes serving two of her three aces in the match during the run.

It was another unanswered run of points that put Valley in the driver's seat at set four reached its conclusion. With the score tied at 15, the Devilettes reeled of six points in a row, with Banks tallying three kills during the run.

Set five was a back-and-forth endeavor in which neither team managed to build a significant lead. Valley enjoyed the largest lead in the final set when they led 9-6. Selfridge and Caliste put away two kills apiece in set five.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS