TOPEKA, Kan. – No. 20 Midwestern State received big-game defensive performances from Shay Velasquez and Sesley Graves Friday night in the Lady Blues Fall Classic at Lee Arena.

But it wasn't enough to overcome No. 9 Washburn as the Lady Blues came away with a 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-21 victory as the Mustangs fell to 18-2.

"Obviously, we're disappointed, but we lost to some tough teams," MSU coach Venera Flores-Stafford said. "There are learning experiences from everything. We don't like to lose, but we need to carry the lessons forward."

Midwestern State battles Missouri Western at 11 a.m. on Saturday before closing the classic at 3 p.m. against No. 15 Truman (Mo.).

Velasquez recorded a season-high 31 digs as the Mustangs forced the Washburn to take 169 attacks to hit .213.

Graves also notched a season high as she was in on nine of MSU's 10 blocks, while senior right side Whitney Maxwell also had six.

Maxwell also paced the Mustangs' attack with 12 kills while recording a .286 attack percentage, while senior outside hitter Jessica Ransom had 10 kills and hit .364.

Senior setter Allison Schreiber had 43 assists and led Midwestern to a team hitting percentage of .203.

Washburn's Mollie Lacy led a pack of four Lady Blues in double-digit kills with 18.

Washburn improved to 16-2.