THE RUNDOWN
WICHITA FALLS, Texas – In a match that featured 25 ties and 11 lead changes, Midwestern State recorded 16 blocks in a 3-0 (26-24, 25-23, 27-25) loss to UT Permian Basin on Saturday at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
 
The 16 blocks by the Mustangs matched the second-most in program history and fifth-most in an NCAA Division II three-set match this season. Junior Sarah Eakin set a career-high with the fifth-most blocks in a three-set match, tallying eight rejections including four of the solo variety.
 
Eakin, freshman Taylor Anderson and Lauren Honeycutt along with sophomore Raven Presley combined for eight solo blocks and Anderson, Eakin and Honeycutt each added four assisted blocks to anchor the Mustangs.
 
Despite the brick wall put up by the defense, the Maroon and Gold struggled offensively, hitting -.024 with 32 attack errors.
 
Junior Erin Richburg eclipsed double-digit kills for the 10th time this season, putting down a match-high 10. Sophomore Raven Presley added seven for MSU Texas with a team-best .045 hitting percentage.
 
Sophomore Sarah Glawe notched her fifth double-double of the season, handing out 25 assists and 12 digs while freshman Samantha Manio led MSU with 16 digs.
 
UTPB's Travana Matthews and Aquincia Strambler each put down 10 kills to pace the Falcons.
 
All three sets were tightly contested. The Mustangs and Falcons battled to a dead-heat at 24-all in the opening frame before an error and a kill from Analise Lucio gave UTPB a 1-0 edge in the match, 26-24.
 
MSU Texas appeared poised to draw even in the second set, racing out to an 8-3 advantage. After a pair of timeouts from UTPB, the Falcons eventually pulled even at 17-all and taking the lead for good, up 21-20.
 
Much like the second set, MSU paced itself to an 8-2 lead before a pair of early timeouts allowed the Falcons to regain composure. Neither side led by more than three in the final frame. Down 24-21 and facing match point, the Mustangs stormed back to draw even at 24 and take the lead, 25-24. UTPB closed the match on a 3-0 run to complete the sweep.
 
MATCH NOTES
- Midwestern State suffered a tightly-contested 3-0 sweep to UT Permian Basin, losing all three sets by two points on Saturday at D.L. Ligon Coliseum
- The Mustangs fall to 5-18 on the season and 3-12 in Lone Star Conference play
- MSU Texas recorded the second-most blocks in a three-set match in program history, tallying 16.0 rejections and fifth-most in NCAA Division II this season
- The 32 errors by the Mustangs were the second-most this season behind only the 37 against South Dakota Mines on Sept. 1
- Junior Sarah Eakin recorded a career-best eight blocks, marking the fourth time in the last five matches she's had at least seven rejections
- Eakin's four solo blocks were the second-most this season, behind her five block outburst against Eastern New Mexico last weekend
- Sophomore Sarah Glawe notched her fifth double-double of the season, handing out 25 assists and 12 digs
 
UP NEXT
MSU Texas returns to the courts on Tuesday, Oct. 23, against Texas Woman's in the home finale. First serve is slated for 6 p.m.