WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- It was a race to the finish Monday afternoon in the South Central Region #2 Championship at the MSU Tennis Center.
 
Midwestern State (17-6) swept through doubles play and all six singles claimed first set victories, so it was just a matter of who would do the honors to send the Mustangs to their third-straight trip to the NCAA Division II Round of 16.
 
Senior Taylor Coffman delivered the first blow with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Rafaela Haegele at the No. 2 position to set up sophomore Paige Boykin for the 6-2, 6-0 clincher at No. 5 to send the Mustangs to Surprise, Ariz.
 
"Our leadership and maturity are strong points for us. We've been able to use a competitive schedule to prepare quality ladies for a run at a championship," MSU coach Scott Linn said. "Taylor has played excellent singles but hasn't gotten the credit she has earned. She has been fantastic the last two years."
 
Midwestern takes on No. 12-ranked California (Pa.) in the Round of 16 in a match set for 6 p.m. (Central Time) on Wednesday, May 13 at the Surprise Racquet and Tennis Club. The winner advances to face either No. 18 Southwest Baptist (Mo.) or No. 47 Indianapolis (Ind.) on May 14.
 
"This is another opportunity for us in the Round of 16. I'm sure we are going to be better prepared for a better outcome this year," Linn said.
 
The Mustangs reached the Sweet Sixteen for the third consecutive season and for the fifth time in program history. The feat was never in question against Hilltoppers.
 
Junior Maddie Schorlemmer and Boykin clinched the first win of the day 8-4 at No. 2 doubles right before Coffman and junior Kayla Casey came off the court with an 8-6 win at the No. 1 position.
 
Junior Lauren Pineda and Lindsay Nochowicz cinched the sweep with a convincing 8-2 win at the No. 2 spot then the race was on for the clincher.
 
Sophomore Courtney Anderson was a game away with a 6-0, 5-0 edge over Francesca Chaher at No. 4, but just feet away Schorlemmer was also closing in taking the first set 6-2 before going 5-5 in the second with Ivana Zecevic at No. 3.
 
Freshman Carrie Casey held a 6-3, 3-2 lead over Marissa Williams at No. 6, while sister Kayla Casey jumped out to a set lead at 6-2 but trailed Alexandra Khadhyzan 5-2 in the second frame.
 
St. Edward's closes the season with an 11-9 have won three of their last four -- all against nationally ranked competition -- heading into the postseason.
 
"(SEU coach) Kendall (Brooks) has done an excellent job with the St. Edward's program. They played great tennis late in the year to earn a spot in the postseason," Linn said.