WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Lauren Honeycutt blasted eight kills while hitting .429, but the Mustangs (3-13, 1-6) could not overcome a slow start, falling to UT Permian Basin (13-3, 5-2), 3-0, in a Lone Star Conference volleyball match on Friday night inside D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

The sophomore also tied her season-high with five blocks. 

"Honeycutt did a nice job driving in and she got on the ball like I know she could," said Head Coach Valerie Armstrong. "I'm excited for her progress."

MSU took an early 4-2 lead in the first set after three straight attack errors by the Falcons. UTPB responded with a five point surge and never looked back, claiming the opening set, 25-21. 

The Falcons grabbed a 2-0 lead with a 25-18 win in the second set. Midwestern State hit -0.95 in the frame.

The Mustangs led a back and forth third set 24-22 but set point proved elusive as UTPB scored consecutive points to tie things up, 24-24. MSU then took a 25-24 lead following a lengthy rally, before a costly service error knotted things at 25-25. The Falcons would rattle off two more points to win the set and the match.

"Those are the plays that we just got to execute but we are so young, that's what happens with youth," added Armstrong.

The Mustangs hit .064 as a team, their lowest mark since a .060 performance against Sioux Falls on September 13.

MATCH NOTES
- MSU has lost four straight
- UT Permian Basin registered a .168 kill rate
- Sarah Eakin posted four kills and four blocks
- Audry Lopez recorded a team high 13 digs

UP NEXT
A quick turnaround as the Mustangs host Western New Mexico on Saturday. First serve is at 2 p.m.