ITTA BENA, Miss. – The Mississippi Valley State Devilettes volleyball team fell short in their doubleheader opener at the StarkVegas Classic. They lost the matinee to Western Illinois 3-0 (14-25, 20-25, 12-25) and the nightcap to Mississippi State 3-0 (9-25, 10-25, 16-25). 

Tyler Caliste (New Orleans, La.) tied a match high with nine kills against the Bulldogs (2-0), and added four more in the earlier match versus the Leathernecks (1-1).  Newcomer Zion Hardy (Winterville, N.C.) enjoyed a solid debut with four kills in the matinee game. Setter Ariana Austin (Crowley, Tex.) registered a double-double with 16 assists and 10 digs against WIU. 

Despite the defeats, the Devilettes (0-2) pulled together a couple of late rallies in a couple sets. In the second set against WIU, Valley came from as much as eight down to pull within one at 20-19 thanks to a block by Caliste and Victoria Mallard (Galveston, Tex.). But the Leathernecks went on to take the set with five of the final six points. 

In the second match, a Caliste kill helped Valley take a 9-8 lead in the third set. But the Devilettes conceded a five point rally, and could only pull within two after that. 

Mississippi Valley will conclude its stay in Starkville with a noon match Saturday (Aug. 31) against Chattanooga.