NEW ORLEANS – The Devilettes of Mississippi Valley State University outlasted Dillard in a thrilling match that went all five sets.
 
All but one of the five sets were decided by the minimum two points. Scores of the match were 25-23, 19-25, 25-23, 23-25, and 15-13.
 
Tyler Caliste posted a double-double to lead the Devilettes, knocking down 12 kills and recording 12 digs. Her teammate Chardea Berthelot chipped in 10 kills and a team-high five blocks – one solo and four assisted.
 
Ariana Austin handed out a match-high 33 assists to go along with 16 digs, while Brooklyn Hudson tallied 11 assists for the Devilettes.
 
Valley's defensive effort was led by Kiya Garza and Jessica Bell, who each dug 17 opposition attacks. Kalin Barnes finished a kill shy of a double-double, recording nine kills and 15 digs for the Devilettes.
 
Mississippi Valley State had the most success hitting the ball in sets one and five. The Devilettes (4-20) hit .194 with 10 kills and only four errors in set one; in set five, they tallied seven kills against only two errors for a .172 hitting percentage.
 
The Devilettes return to action Friday when they participate in the second Southwestern Athletic Conference roundup of the season in Huntsville, Ala. Valley will play all five teams traditionally aligned with the conference's West Division over a three-day span, beginning with Texas Southern at 10:30 a.m. Friday.