PARAGOULD, Ark. – The Delta Devilettes of Mississippi Valley State claimed their first win of 2018 Monday with a three-set sweep at Crowley's Ridge College.
 
Scores of the match were 25-7, 25-16, and 25-19.
 
Freshman hitter Tyler Caliste tallied career highs of 16 kills and 17 digs for her first collegiate double-double. Taylor Selfridge had seven kills and only one error for Valley, while Destini Banks tallied five kills for the Devilettes. Jamie Polk and Ariana Austin handed out 24 and 16 assists, respectively.
 
Valley's defensive effort was led by Caliste and Kiya Garza, who matched her teammate with 17 digs. Jessica Bell dug 14 opposition attacks, followed by Selfridge, who recorded 11 digs.
 
The Devilettes set the tone early in the match, running off eight straight points after ceding the opening point to host Pioneers. Valley hit .457 in the opening set, the team's best total in a set this season.
 
Crowley's Ridge was more competitive in the second set, and despite trailing from start to finish, managed to pull to within two points of Valley at 13-11. The visitors responded by scoring the next five points to re-establish a comfortable margin.
 
The third set was a back-and-forth contest that featured seven ties and three lead changes. Valley broke free late with eight unanswered points to build a 23-15 lead, which proved to be too much for the hosts to overcome.
 
The Delta Devilettes host Dillard University at the Harrison HPER Complex on Thursday for the team's home opener of 2018.