ITTA BENA, Miss. – In their final non-conference match of the season, Mississippi Valley State volleyball got the result they wanted. For the second time this year, the Devilettes defeated the Tougaloo Bulldogs 3-0 (25-12, 25-21, 25-20) Monday (Sept. 23) at the R.W. Harrison HPER Complex. 

Valley (3-13) was led by Chardea Berthelot (Laplace, La.) on offense, as the sophomore supplied eight kills and three aces, while adding two blocks on defense. Tyler Caliste (New Orleans, La.) tied Berthelot with eight kills but tacked on 11 assists and eight digs. Ariana Austin (Crowley, Tex.) led the match with 13 assists. 

Tougaloo (5-11) received a match high 13 digs with nine assists - just one shy for a double-double - from Jedda Alcee. Twins Kierstin and Kayelyn Salley, along with Octayvia Mahand, contributed five kills each.

The Devilettes dominated the first set by hitting .333 with 14 kills as they won by 13 points. In the second set, Tougaloo never led past the first point, but rallied to tie several times up to 14-14. The frame would remain close until Valley captured the 2-0 lead with five of the last seven points. 

A pair of kills from Destini Banks (Crowley, Tex.) bookended a 7-0 from Mississippi Valley in the third set. That proved the difference when a late Tougaloo rally threatened the quick victory, but was ultimately turned aside. 

SWAC play starts for Valley Friday (Sept. 27) with the first conference round up in Prairie View, Texas. The first day will be a doubleheader with a 3 p.m. challenge from host Prairie View A&M and a 5:30 p.m. meeting with Grambling State.