WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Midwestern State battled back from a two-set deficit before falling 22-25, 15-25, 25-18, 25-15, 12-15 to Lubbock Christian Wednesday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
 
The Mustangs (6-14) used an overall strong defensive effort to push LCU to the brink before allowing the Chaps to escape and improved to 13-2.
 
Sophomore middle blocker Sarah Garfield matched a career high with 14 kills while leading MSU at net with seven total blocks.
 
The Mustangs finished with 10 total team blocks as redshirt-freshman Angel Summers had four blocks and freshman Addison Semer added three.
 
MSU, which limited the Chaps to a .119 team hitting percentage, was also strong on the back row paced by senior libero Casey Fletcher, who finished with 29 digs.
 
Junior Nicole Marzik added 15 digs, while sophomore Madelyn Johnson (13 digs), sophomore Sarah Rosinke (11 digs) and freshman Morgan Haire (10 digs) also finished with double-digit digs.
 
Behind a solid 20-kill, 22-dig effort from Channing Castleberry, Lubbock Christian rolled out to 25-22 and 25-15 wins while hitting .253 over the opening two frames.
 
The Mustangs got defensive from that point on holding the Chaps to a paltry -.021 hitting percentage over the next two sets to force their ninth five-set contest of the season.
 
MSU sprinted out to a 10-4 lead in the deciding set before Lubbock Christian responded by winning 11 of the final 13 points.
 
Senior middle blocker Kat Molloy finished with 10 kills and two blocks, while junior outside hitter Hunter Porter put down an efficient nine kills with seven digs.
 
Midwestern State hits the road to take on Tarleton State Friday night before battling Angelo State Saturday in San Angelo.