SAN ANGELO, Texas - Angelo State's one-two combination of Chelsea Gibson and Kaelen Valdez proved devastating for Midwestern State as the Mustangs dropped their sixth consecutive match 25-21, 25-12, 25-16 Saturday afternoon at Stephens Arena.
 
But MSU (15-15, 7-13) will get another shot the Rambelles Thursday afternoon in the opening round of the Lone Star Conference Championship to be played at the West Texas A&M Event Center in Canyon.
 
The Mustangs got the help they needed to advance to their fifth consecutive postseason appearance thanks to Tarleton State's 3-1 win over Incarnate Word later in the afternoon.
 
MSU will have a large task to master as Gibson put down 13 kills without an error in 26 attempts, while Valdez made 12 kills and was forced into a single miscue to lead Angelo State to a solid .283 team attack percentage.
 
Midwestern's Shelbi Stewart's hot start allowed the Mustangs to battle the 'Belles to a tight result in the opening. The junior Pflugerville put down seven of her team-high 10 kills in the first frame, but Angelo State used its defense to force MSU into seven errors to pull away in the opening stanza.
 
Valdez, who completed a double-double with 20 digs, and libero Shelby Witt added 16 digs of her own complimented a strong 'Belle net game which produced 12 total blocks paced by Maddie Huth's five-block performance.
 
Midwestern senior libero Kiara Jordan paced the Mustangs' back row efforts with 22 digs and sophomore Brandi Flores added 12 while Stewart and freshman Katie Bertling notched three blocks each.
 
Angelo State closes the regular season with a 28-4 record including a 17-3 league mark.