WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Midwestern State heads north to the Cornhusker state for the Rosella Meier Fall Classic, hosted by Nebraska-Kearney. The Mustangs open the tournament against Newman on Friday at 2 p.m. before taking on host and fifth-ranked UNK at 6 p.m. MSU Texas closes out the tournament on Saturday, meeting South Dakota Mines and Minot State for the first time at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.
Storylines
Just Win One
The Mustangs are undefeated when winning a set after one weekend of play. At the Tarleton Invitational, MSU Texas knocked off then-16
th ranked Central Oklahoma in a five-set thriller and swept through Black Hills State. The Maroon and Gold were swept in both losses.
There Are Youths Everywhere
Of the 12 players to see action in the Tarleton Invitational last weekend, 10 are classified as underclassmen, including six freshman. Juniors
Sarah Eakin and
Erin Richburg are the lone upperclassmen on the roster. Freshmen are responsible for 55 percent of all the team's kills and 42 percent of the total digs.
Amazing Addy
Redshirt freshman
Addy Cook was named to the All-Tournament team at the Tarleton Invitational after a slew of dominant performances. The Bowie native averaged 3.43 kills per set, including a 20-kill outburst and a double-double in MSU Texas' upset of 16
th-ranked Central Oklahoma. Cook also did damage from the service line, posting six aces, including three against Black Hills State.
Throwing a Block Party
The Mustangs are averaging 1.64 blocks per set after the first weekend of play. Junior
Sarah Eakin anchors the defense with 0.86 blocks per set, including three solo blocks while freshmen
Lauren Honeycutt and
Natalie Fruend average 0.77 and 0.73 blocks per set, respectively.
Acing the Class
In each of MSU Texas' two wins this season, the Mustangs have been strong from the service line, averaging 9.5 aces in winning efforts. Junior
Erin Richburg leads the team with seven, closely followed by redshirt freshman
Addy Cook with six. Sophomores
Julia Nelson and
Sarah Glawe each have three while freshman
Samantha Manio has two.
Up Next
MSU Texas begins Lone Star Conference play on Friday, Sept. 7 in its home opener against Eastern New Mexico. First serve at D.L. Ligon Coliseum is slated for 6 p.m. against the Greyhounds.
