KINGSVILLE, Texas – Double-digit kills from three Mustangs was not enough for the Midwestern State volleyball team Saturday as the Mustangs dropped a 3-1 decision (18-25, 26-24, 16-25, 15-25) to Texas A&M-Kingsville in their Lone Star Conference opener.

Sophomore outside hitter Meghan Bettis led the Mustangs (4-7, 0-1 LSC) with 15 kills on a .300 clip. Senior outside hitter Hunter Porter added 11 kills while sophomore outside hitter Addison Semer totaled 10.

The Javelinas jumped out to a 1-0 lead thanks to a run midway in the first set. Back-to-back kills from sophomore outside hitter Krystal Faison helped TAMUK (6-5, 1-1 LSC) take an 18-12 lead before holding off the Mustangs to claim a 25-18 first set victory.

Midwestern answered back in the second set, evening the match at 1-1 with a tight 26-24 victory. After a kill by junior outside hitter Valarie Moehrig gave the Javelinas a 21-17 advantage, the Mustangs responded with kills from freshman setter Hayden Blair and Semer. A Blair ace capped off a 4-0 spurt to knot the set up at 21-all.

It was a back-and-forth battle in the final points before a kill by Bettis and a TAMUK attack error gave the Mustangs the set win.

TAMUK roared back after the break to win the third set, 25-16, after recording a 5-2 run halfway through the frame to take a 17-10 lead. The Javelinas continued to maintain a sizeable advantage the remainder of the set to take a 2-1 lead in the match.

The Javelinas took their momentum into the fourth, taking a 7-1 advantage to open the set. Midwestern pulled back within four a few points later but TAMUK's quick start was too much for the Mustangs to overcome as the Javelinas took a 25-15 set victory to record the 3-1 win.

Junior libero Madelyn Johnson had a career day for the Mustangs by recording a career-best 31 digs, tying for eighth on the all-time list for digs in four sets.

Blair added 15 digs for the Mustangs while pacing the MSU offense with 39 assists.

Midwestern continues LSC play Tuesday with a trip up the road to Lawton, Oklahoma, to face Cameron for a 7 p.m. match.