Bulldogs get offense cranking in Decatur

Mississippi Gulf Coast's first touch was successful more often than not Wednesday night, and the Bulldogs avenged an earlier loss to East Central by winning in four sets.

Gulf Coast won 25-18, 22-25, 25-23, 25-18 in Decatur.

"They did really well, especially well in serve receive," Gulf Coast coach Shayna Walsh said. "Cambell Harrington, Chloe Pippin, Cadie Jo Byrd, Mariah Hammond and Alexa Shinabery all passed really well, and that helps us out a lot. When we're in system, we connect and can put the ball away on offense. That helps a lot."

The Bulldogs improved to 14-12 overall, 6-7 in the MACCC. They're in sixth place, but only a match behind the fourth-place Warriors. ECCC is now 10-10, 7-6.

Malorie Gaughf (Fr., Gulfport/Harrison Central) led the team with 14 kills and three blocks. Byrd, a freshman from New Albany, had nine kills.

"When we establish our middle blockers early, we open up our pins to do well," Walsh said. "The did a great job of executing." 

Mariah Hammond (Fr., Slidell, La./Northshore) also had 14 kills and picked up two blocks. Herrington (Fr., Brandon/Brandon) had 21 digs, and Pippin (Fr., Saraland, Ala./Saraland) added 17.

Lila Turner (Fr., Kiln/Hancock) had a team-best 24 assists.

Gulf Coast entertains Northeast Mississippi on Monday. The match at Dantzler Arena starts at 5 p.m. and will be streamed at https://mgcccbulldogs.com/watch. Tickets are available at http://mgcccbulldogs.com/tickets.

For more information on MGCCC's 12 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.