WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Midwestern State struggled mightily on the attack in the opening two sets Thursday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum as fell behind 2-0 to Incarnate Word.
 
That's when junior outside hitter Shelbi Stewart and senior middle blocker Miranda Byrd asserted their will and combined for 27 kills to lift MSU to a 22-25, 21-25, 25-18, 25-21, 16-14 come-from-behind Lone Star Conference win.
 
"We did a good job of keeping our composure when we were down," MSU coach Venera Flores-Stafford said. "This is a very tough defense and I am proud of how the girls stuck with it."
 
Stewart put down a career-best 21 kills while committing just three errors for a .450. It was her ninth double-figure kill performance over her last 15 matches.
 
"That's what we expect from her," Flores-Stafford said. "She has the ability to do that match in and match out."
 
The Mustangs battled back from a 10-6 deficit in the fifth set with their starring duo combining for seven kills in the decisive frame.
 
Byrd notched a season-high with 19 kills and has delivered 10-or-more kills in six of her last seven outings.
 
Incarnate Word frustrated the Mustangs into 18 attack errors and a team hitting percentage of .048 in the opening two sets as junior lebero Lydia Werchan led the way with 28 digs.
 
But the Mustangs never totally solved UIW defensive play, but thanks to the efforts of Stewart and Byrd MSU hit .209 as a team the rest of the way.
 
MSU's Kiara Jordan paced a stout MSU back line effort that limited the Cardinals to a .126 hitting percentage. The senior libero delivered her third career 40-dig performance while senior outside hitter Hillary White added 21 digs to go along with eight kills.
 
Sophomore Brandi Flores pitched in 13 digs while freshman setter Kristan Aduddell completed a double-double with 31 set assists and 10 digs.
 
Midwestern State (14-9, 5-8) continues the home stand Saturday afternoon against Texas A&M-Kingsville. First serve is set for 2 p.m. at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
 
Incarnate Word fell to 10-13 on the season and to 6-9 in league play.