TOUGALOO, Miss. – Mississippi Valley State women's volleyball made a statement in their first win of the 2025 season, sweeping Tougaloo in straight sets (25–19, 25–23, 25–13) on Saturday at the Owens Health and Wellness Center.
The Devilettes set the tone early, as Lyric Edwards and Dashaun Pinesette powered the offense with key kills in the opening set. A service ace from Alaya Rhodes and steady play from Brooklyn Brunt kept Valley ahead, closing out the frame 25–19.
In the second set, Valley showed resilience after falling behind early. A surge led by Rhodes with multiple kills, plus a well-timed ace from Jadyn Rambo, helped the Devilettes rally to tie the score at 19–19. From there, clutch swings by Brunt and Rhodes carried the team to a 25–23 win and a commanding two-set lead.
The Devilettes closed the night in dominant fashion. Edwards tallied five kills in the third set, while Rhodes finished with an impressive .750 hitting percentage. Leticia Franco anchored the back row with a match-high 16 digs, and Carrington Archer distributed the offense with precision. Mississippi Valley rolled to a 25–13 finish, securing the sweep.
MVSU ended the match with 33 kills, led by Rhodes (11) and Edwards (10), while Franco's defensive presence and serving steadiness were pivotal. The team also recorded three blocks, highlighted by Taylor Wooten and Carmella Jones at the net.
