OMAHA, Neb. - Midwestern State dropped its final two matches of the UNO Showcase Saturday afternoon at Sapp Field House.

But it was far from a wash for the upstart Mustangs who played host Nebraska-Omaha to three close sets to fall 21-25, 20-25, 22-25 before taking No. 12 Emporia State to five grueling sets in a 15-25, 25-15, 25-18, 20-25, 7-15 setback.

"We played really well against UNO and just couldn't finish it out," MSU coach Venera Flores-Stafford said. "We had momentum going into the fourth and had done a good job of holding their big right side until the final set."

Emporia State's big senior Brittney Miller put down eight of her match-high 18 kills as the Hornets committed just one error while hitting .571 in the fifth and deciding set.

Her big finished foiled a strong outing by junior setter Taryn Westerman, who completed the match with solid all-around line of six kills, seven digs, four blocks and 35 set assists as four Mustangs posted double-figure kills.

Senior right-side Karolina Damjanovic and junior outside hitter Hillary White led the way with 12 kills each, while senior middle hitter Miranda Byrd added 11 kills.

But the Mustangs shined on defense as six different players notched at least two blocks as the team posted 15 total blocks led by senior middle blocker Lauren Bayer, who closed the match with seven total blocks.

Earlier, Nebraska-Omaha used 12 service aces and eight total blocks to provide the difference in a close match.

Sophomore outside hitter Shelbi Stewart joined White with seven kills each to lead the Mustangs, while junior libero Kiara Jordan led the back line with 16 digs.

The Mustangs take on Dallas Baptist Tuesday night on the road before opening the Tarleton State Invitational next Friday against Southwest Baptist (Mo.).

"The chemistry is working, so now we just need to get the confidence going," Flores-Stafford said. "We had a good showing and we will have a better turn out next week."