WICHITA FALLS, Texas – The Midwestern State volleyball team was unable to hold on to a fourth set lead to force a deciding fifth set in a 3-1 loss (25-23, 25-21, 16-25, 25-22) to Dallas Baptist on Saturday afternoon.

Senior outside hitter Hunter Porter led the Mustangs with 11 kills while sophomore middle blocker Angel Summers and freshman middle blocker Olivia Schiffner each recorded 10.

While Midwestern State (.172) out-hit Dallas Baptist (.133), the play at the service line was one weakness for the Mustangs with 11 errors compared to just two for the Lady Patriots.  

It was a close first set with the teams battling back-and-forth until DBU (8-4) took a 16-13 lead following a Midwestern attack error. Holding a 20-16 advantage, the Lady Patriots saw their lead slip away with kills from Summers and Porter and a block by Schiffner to bring the Mustangs within one.

A kill by freshman middle blocker Kiley Beaver put the Mustangs (4-14) in front at 23-22 before the Lady Patriots closed out the set on a 3-0 run to record a 25-23 opening set win.

DBU went on top 15-12 in the second set before Midwestern knotted up the frame thanks to two kills from Summers and an attack error by the Lady Patriots.

DBU claimed a 20-17 lead after a Mustangs service error and an ace by Kaycie Bird. Midwestern came within two down the stretch but two kills from Cooper Martin put DBU up 2-0 with a 25-21 second set victory.

The momentum shifted to the home team in the third set as Midwestern opened the frame with a 10-3 run. Kills by Porter and sophomore outside hitter Meghan Bettis brought the lead to 16-7 as the Mustangs were able to hold a sizeable advantage late with freshman libero Matti Dix ending the set on back-to-back aces for a 25-16 win.

After an ace by freshman setter Hayden Blair made it 14-11 Mustangs in the fourth set, the Lady Patriots fought back with three kills from Madeline Dolberry to claim a 15-14 lead. It was neck-and-neck late in the set until DBU went on top 23-20 following a Midwestern attack error. A kill by Carly Hess and an ace from Martin ended the chance for a Mustangs comeback as DBU posted a 25-22 win.

The Mustangs close out their homestand Tuesday with a non-conference match against Southern Nazarene (Okla.) at 6 p.m.