Lydia Paulette is MC’s New Career Points Leader
The senior volleyball player & her teammates reflect on Paulette's college career & unmatched sportsmanship.
Lydia Paulette is a senior volleyball player that has been making waves since she was a freshman. Her illustrious college career has led her to hold multiple MC records.
Paulette came to Mississippi College as a freshman in 2021 hailing from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In her first year, she was named to the Gulf South Conference All-Tournament Team. As a sophomore, she landed on the All-GSC First Team. As a junior, she earned All-GSC First Team, D2CCA All-Region, AVCA All-Region, and was an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention.
Throughout her senior season, Paulette has continually shattered school records. Paulette currently holds the program’s single-match kill record. She completed this feat against the University of Auburn at Montgomery. On Saturday, October 26 in Cleveland, Tennessee, Paulette became the MC volleyball’s all-time leader in kills with 1,281. Weeks later, in the first set against Trevecca, Paulette became the new points leader with 1,502.
This season, she has been named Offensive Player of the Week three times. Over the course of her tenure at MC, she has earned this title nine times. Over four years, she has helped MC win fifty-eight games and counting.
Individually Paulette leads in service aces with 35 this season. Paulette is also second in digs with 215, and she is third in blocks with 32.
With Paulette’s contributions, the team is 7-1 at home, and they are 4-7 on the road. At neutral sites, the team is 1-4. Paulette is particularly excited for the upcoming games against Valdosta State and West Florida. “I’m looking forward to playing West Florida and Valdosta again,” said Paulette. “We got beat pretty badly at their place the last time we played them, and now we get to play them at home. I’m looking forward to it.”
After this, Paulette will finish up her last regular season on the road playing both Christian Brothers and Union.
Sophomore Mary Grace Foster is proud of everything Paulette has accomplished this season. Foster has the second highest kill count on the team behind Paulette. “Lydia is a great teammate and genuinely cares about each person on and off the court,” said Foster. “She plays to glorify the Lord with the talents she has been given. Lydia has been special to me since the day that I got here. She has always been someone I can be silly with, while also being able to have genuine conversations and talk about how the Lord is working in our lives.”
Fellow senior Londyn Bakeris agreed with Foster. “Lydia works incredibly hard day in and day out on all of her skills,” Bakeris said. “I think her true love for the game allows her work ethic to shine everyday. No matter when or where you need Lydia, she’ll always be there. She’s an amazing teammate, but an even better person and friend.”
Paulette gave all credit to God. Paulette says she is so thankful for her team and MC. “Thankful. All credit and glory to God,” Paulette said. “He’s the reason I’m here. The people he’s placed beside and around me, I’m very, very thankful for.”
Paulette described their season as bumpy, but she believes their team has the potential to go far. “The season has been a rollercoaster,” Paulette said. “However, I’m very encouraged. We’ve been figuring out things along the way–working through different bumps we’ve hit in the road, but I love our team. I’m excited to finish this season at the GSC tournament. I believe in us, and we can go far.”
Bakeris is in complete agreement. “I think the team is ready to give everything we have in these final weeks of our season,” Bakeris said. “We want to prove how hard we’ve been working and we want to do it for each other!”
As far as the rest of the season, Paulette simply wants to finish strong and enjoy each moment. “I want to go out strong,” Paulette said. “I’m excited for the games we have left. I want to soak in all the memories off the court too–walking to go get coffee, hanging out between meals, and the little stuff like that.”
The team is now being coached by Bentley Odom, who joined Mississippi College after serving as an assistant at West Texas A&M University. She is supported by graduate assistant Hayle Tillman, who brings experience from her four years of play at Georgetown College.
The Choctaws are currently 12-12 overall. They are 10-6 in conference. The team has four regular season games left. Senior night for Paulette, Bakeris, Ali Wiggins, and Julia Sumrall is Saturday, November 9.
The team ranked fourth in preseason polls. So far, the Choctaws have climbed as high as third. Currently, the team is fifth. Top five standings include West Florida, Alabama Huntsville, Valdosta State, and Lee respectively.
MC volleyball has already secured themselves a spot in the GSC tournament. The first round starts Tuesday, November 19. Seeding is still being determined.
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