LUBBOCK, Texas – Facing a 2-0 deficit to Texas-Permian Basin, the Midwestern State volleyball team responded by sending the match to five sets before dropping a 3-2 decision (25-15, 25-18, 18-25, 21-25, 15-7) to the Falcons in a neutral site match Saturday at the Rip Griffin Center.

A 10-3 start for UTPB (2-9, 1-4 HC) in the first set helped the Falcons take control early in the match with two kills and two blocks from senior outside hitter Hannah Rebb. UTPB held a sizeable lead over the Mustangs a majority of the set until an attack error pulled Midwestern State within four at 16-12. The rally would fall short for the Mustangs as UTPB ended the frame on a 9-3 run to claim the first set.

In the second set, a kill from sophomore outside hitter Addison Semer brought the Mustangs (4-10, 0-2 LSC) within one at 11-10, but the Falcons answered with a quick 5-0 run for a 16-10 score. UTPB would continue to hold its lead over Midwestern State before taking a 25-18 second set win.

The Mustangs jumped out to an 11-6 advantage in the third set following a service ace from junior libero Madelyn Johnson. A kill by UTPB sophomore outside hitter Puava Tulau pulled the Falcons within two at 19-17 before a kill from freshman middle blocker Kiley Beaver sparked a late run by the Mustangs to take a 25-18 win.

Midwestern put together another strong start in the fourth, forcing a UTPB timeout after a block by Semer and freshman middle blocker Olivia Schiffner gave the Mustangs an 8-3 lead. However, the MSU lead wouldn't last long as UTPB went on top 13-12 after a Midwestern attack error.

Trailing 20-19, a kill by Purcell gave life to the MSU offense as four different Mustangs recorded kills in the final stretch for a 25-21 win to even the match at 2-2.

The Falcons controlled the fifth set from the beginning, taking an 8-4 advantage to force the MSU bench to call a timeout after an ace from sophomore outside hitter Caitlyn Guajardo. A kill from Schiffner ended the UTPB run but the Falcons responded with a 4-0 spurt before going on to take the set 15-7.

Sophomore middle blocker Angel Summers led the Mustangs with 11 kills on a .381 clip. Freshman setter Ellie Gunderson recorded her first career double-double with 23 assists and 12 digs.

The Mustangs return to Lone Star Conference action Tuesday at 6 p.m. when they host West Texas A&M at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.