PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – The Mississippi Valley State volleyball team struggled on the opening day of the first SWAC Round Up. The Devilettes lost 3-0 to host Prairie View A&M 3-0 (14-25, 8-25, 12-25), and then fell to Grambling State 3-0 (18-25, 15-25, 17-25). 

With the defeats, Valley falls to 3-15 (0-2 SWAC) this season. 

In the opening match, Valley hit negative and surrendered 11 errors in the second set. Tylia Dixon (Chino, Calif.) led the contest with four kills, and Ariana Austin (Crowley, Tex.) supplied eight assists. Prairie View A&M hit .347 for the match and were led by Victoria Pearson, who had nine kills. 

The nightcap was more competitive, as the Devilettes' Tyler Caliste (New Orleans, La.) tallied seven kills and Victoria Mallard (Galveston, Tex.) earned a career best four blocks. Valley rallied from 13-5 down in the second set against the Tigers and pulled within three after a trio of kills at 16-13. But Grambling snatched nine of 11 rallies to go up 2-0. The Tigers would steadily climb through the rest of set three to sweep the match. 

Grambling State was bolstered by eight service aces, including five from Chasity Nicks. 

Mississippi Valley will play two more Saturday (Sept. 28) with a 10 a.m. matchup against Arkansas Pine Bluff and a 7 p.m. showdown with Texas Southern.