FORT SMITH, Arkansas – Rachel Howes tied a career-high with 13 kills in Saturday afternoon's 3-1 loss to Arkansas Fort-Smith. The Lions defeated Midwestern State (20-25, 26-24, 17-25, 18-25). 

Howes turned in a .300 kill rate, committing just four errors on 30 total attacks. The freshman also notched 13 kills against Western Colorado on September 6 in the first collegiate match of her career.

Sarah Eakin registered 12 kills. The Wichita Falls native also hit .357, making it the third straight match the senior has hit better than .300.
 
After the Mustangs took a 17-16 lead in the first set, Arkansas-Fort Smith went on a 9-3 run to take a 1-0 lead. Three of Howes' 13 kills came in the opening set. 

MSU evened the match at 1-1 with a hard fought 26-24 win in set two. Tied 24-24, the Maroon and Gold scored the next two points on a Howes kill and an attack error by the Lions. 

Arkansas-Fort Smith hit .409 in the third set to take a 2-1 lead before capitalizing on 10 MSU errors in the fourth set to clinch the Lone Star Conference win.  

MATCH NOTES
- MSU has lost six straight matches to fall to 2-8 (0-2).
- Arkansas-Fort Smith improved to 8-2 (2-0)
- Freshman Kaitlyn Masseth recorded a career-high 21 assists
- Audry Lopez, Jaycie Fuller, and Rockelle Gholson all logged double-digit digs
 
UP NEXT
The 2019 home opener on Friday, September 27 against No. 21 Texas A&M-Commerce. Last season, MSU Texas posted a 2-8 record at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.