PITTSBURG, Kansas – Midwestern State ushered in a new season on Friday with a split on their first day of competition at the Gorilla Classic Tournament. The Mustangs slipped past Western State (Colorado) in a five-set thriller, (21-25, 25-19, 12-25, 25-22, 15-5), before being bounced in straight sets by Pittsburg State (Kansas), (14-25, 21-25, 23-25).
 
MATCH ONE – Midwestern State 3 Western State (Colorado) 2
After falling behind 2-1, the Mustangs claimed the next two sets to pick up their first win of the season.  
 
Senior Rockelle Gholson and Freshman Rachel Howes led the way for the Maroon and Gold with 13 kills apiece. Gholson notched the first MSU double-double of the year by adding 12 digs. Junior Sarah Glawe collected a team-high 25 assists.
 
Deadlocked at two sets apiece, MSU ambushed the Mountaineers in the decisive fifth set. The Mustangs jumped out to 12-2 lead before finishing off Western State (Colorado), 15-5, in the winner take all set.
 
MATCH TWO – Pittsburg State (Kansas) 3 Midwestern State 0
MSU could not crack the code of Pittsburg State (Kansas) in a three-set loss to the Gorillas.

Eight attack errors and a .091 hitting percentage doomed the Mustangs in the first set. A seesaw second set was decided by a 5-2 closing run by PSU. In the third and final set, Midwestern State held a 14-10 edge before Pittsburg State called a timeout. Following the stop in action, PSU went on a 10-3 run to grab a lead they would not relinquish. 

Gholson notched her second double-double of the day with 12 kills and 12 digs. 

Glawe once again led MSU in assists, collecting 22 helpers. 
 
MATCH ONE NOTES
- Savanna Dodson notched the first kill of the season for MSU in the first set
- The five-set match marked the first time the Mustangs played five sets in a season opener since 2014 (Defeated Colorado State-Pueblo at the MSU Hampton Inn-Vitational)
- Western State (Colorado) posted a .289 hitting percentage; The Mustangs finished at .259 

MATCH TWO NOTES
- MSU committed 22 attack errors in the setback 
- The 1-1 start marks the fifth straight season the Maroon and Gold have posted a win and a loss through two matches
- MSU hit just .147 as a team 

UP NEXT
Another day of competition at the Gorilla Classic Tournament as the Mustangs battle Missouri Western State (9 a.m.) and Southwest Baptist (2 p.m.) on Saturday, September 7.