ABILENE, Texas - Midwestern State battled Abilene Christian tightly over the opening two sets before succumbing 30-28, 25-22, 25-18 to the Wildcats in Lone Star Conference play Thursday night at Moody Coliseum.
 
The Mustangs (15-14, 7-12) can clinch a fifth consecutive berth with a win at Angelo State Saturday afternoon or if Tarleton State defeats Incarnate Word.

The Mustangs would go into the tournament as the No. 7 in all scenarios in which they qualify.
 
The postseason tournament begins next Thursday at the West Texas A&M Events Center in Canyon.
 
Midwestern and ACU went blow-for-blow in an opening set which featured 13 ties and three lead changes, but the Mustangs were unable to close out three set points wasting Hillary White's hot start.
 
The senior outside hitter put down six of her team-high 10 kills while leading MSU to a .255 team hitting percentage in the first stanza.
 
White finished the night by notching her 10th double-double of the season while adding 12 digs to go along with two solo blocks.
 
The teams scrapped through 17 ties in eight lead changes in the second frame, but the Mustangs couldn't overcome a stellar performance by ACU senior outside hitter Jennie Hutt.
 
Hutt put down seven of her match-high 17 kills in the second set as ACU claimed four for the final five points to take a commanding 2-0 lead.
 
MSU junior Shelbi Stewart enjoyed a flawless match putting down nine kills without error for a .474 hitting percentage, while sophomore middle blocker Caitlin Wallace added seven skills and four blocks.
 
Senior libero Kiara Jordan led back row efforts with 16 digs, while sophomore Brandi Flores pitched in 10.
 
Midwestern State fell to 15-14 on the season and to 7-12 in the LSC, while ACU upped its marks to 19-12 and 13-6.