Box Score (PDF)

THE RUNDOWN
TOPEKA, Kan. – Midwestern State was unable to come away with a day one sweep at the Washburn Invitational Friday as the Mustangs fell to host and No. 16-ranked Washburn, 3-0 (25-6, 25-19, 25-23), in the nightcap at Lee Arena.

Washburn (2-0) opened up the match with a sizeable first set win at 25-6 after committing zero errors and hitting .625 while holding the Mustangs to -.217 for the 1-0 lead.

In the second set, junior outside hitter Aerielle Edwards and junior right side hitter Sarah Garfield combined for 10 of Midwestern State's (1-1) 15 kills in the frame but the Ichabods benefitted from an early advantage and held on for the 25-19 victory in set No. 2.

The Mustangs hit .361 in the final set with 15 kills and just two errors on 36 attempts while holding Washburn to a .135 percentage. Garfield registered five of her nine kills of the evening in the third set, helping the Mustangs pull in front at 14-13 to force a Washburn timeout after a 4-0 run. The remainder of the frame remained close until the Ichabods crept ahead at the end to break a 23-23 tie and come away with a 25-23 victory to sweep the match.

NOTES
*Aerielle Edwards was the lone Mustang to record double-figure kills on the night with 10
*Sarah Garfield finished close behind with nine kills while committing just one hitting error for a team-high .421 attack percentage
*Kristan Aduddell tallied 30 assists, five digs and one service ace
*Meghan Bettis led the Mustangs in digs for the second time Friday with 11
*Sabrina Angeles also reached double figures with 10 digs
 
STAT OF THE GAME
.546 – Difference in hitting percentage for the Mustangs in the first set (-.217) and the final two sets (.329)

QUOTE OF THE GAME
"I was very impressed and happy with the growth throughout the match. We were definitely nervous and came out scared. Convincing them to step outside the box and telling them to take risks helped in the second and third sets. When you look at the stats from the first set to the second and third sets, we grew in our attacking and stopped them in their attacking. I told the girls after the match, that match is going to be reflective of our season. If we're willing to take risks, we'll be where we want to be come November." – Head coach Natalie Rawson
 
UP NEXT
Midwestern State concludes the Washburn Invitational tomorrow with a pair of matches at Lee Arena. The Mustangs open the day against Emporia State (Kan.) at 9:30 a.m. before the tournament finale against Missouri Western at 1:30 p.m.