WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Midwestern State maintained its roll by rocking Eastern New Mexico 25-17, 25-21, 25-16 in its Lone Star Conference opener Tuesday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

"We're happy with the way we've been playing," MSU coach Venera Flores-Stafford said. "It's good to set the tone early in the first conference match. That's what we needed to do."

The Mustangs are off to their best start since opening the 2008 campaign with eight-straight wins with a 4-1 mark, while Eastern New Mexico dipped to 1-4.

MSU continues its busy week playing host to Texas A&M-Commerce Thursday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. First service is set for 5 p.m.

The Mustangs close the week playing Missouri Southern State as part of the DBU Classic in Dallas before returning to the dome to face Texas Woman's University in another league match on Saturday.

"Our goal is to make it to the regional tournament, so we have to start early to make sure we get in as many matches against the MIAA as we can," Flores-Stafford said.

Sophomore middle blocker Caitlin Wallace continued her stellar play leading the Mustangs with 10 kills with two errors in an efficient 18 attacks for a .444 kill percentage.

"She's been big," Flores-Stafford said of the reigning LSC Defensive Player of the Week. "She's played well in every one of our five matches. That's what you love to see from a sophomore."

Junior outside hitter Shelbi Stewart added eight kills and hit .400, while senior middle blocker Miranda Byrd added seven kills and hit .231.

Seniors Hillary White and Kiara Jordan,who finished with 18 and 15 digs respectively, sparked a defense that frustrated the Zias into 25 errors and a .052 team attack percentage.

Byrd led MSU at the net with four total blocks, while Wallace and Stewart had two apiece.

Evelyn Escobar had eight kills to pace Eastern New Mexico.