SAN ANGELO, Texas – Midwestern State set a statement with their first match of the Angelo State Invitational, dumping Western New Mexico in four sets (28-30, 25-20, 25-11, 25-10). After giving up the first set, the MSU Mustangs bounced back to claim the next three at Junell Center/Stephens Arena and move to 6-3 on the season.

Though the first did not go as planned, MSU still fought until the end. An injury on the team caused some shuffling to occur and Raven Presley transitioned to middle blocker from her usual right side spot.

"I am really proud of Raven for making the move to the middle and she did really well there," said head coach Valerie Armstrong. "We had practiced it a little, but this was the first time we did it in a game."

Presley has not started as a middle blocker since the 2018 season when she totaled 64 blocks that season.

After the change, the team was neck-in-neck with the WNM Mustangs. Down by two, Midwestern State carried a 9-1 run to up Western New Mexico by four. Taylor Anderson registered two kills in the run and totaled a season-high 14 for the night. The junior outside hitter made four blocks (one solo, three assists) for another season record and tallied a .520 attack percent.

MSU lead through the set until WNM had a 9-1 run of their own to even it at 22. From there, the teams were neck in neck until Western New Mexico could pull ahead after tying it at 28. The set ended towards WNM 30-28.

Fortunately, Midwestern State did not stay down as they grabbed the second set to even the match. Another run by MSU, highlighted by two Keetyn Davis aces, helped in the pursuit. Davis led both teams with three service aces, the most for the freshman. She managed 4 kills and 12 digs in the night.

A few attack errors on Midwestern State kept Western New Mexico in the game, but MSU pushed to win the set, urged by Presley's two kills and three blocks. She registered 12 kills on 26 total attacks, her best performance since late Jan. The junior had four blocks for the night, her season high.

Midwestern State ran away with the third, allowing only 11 points for their opponents. Up 17-6, MSU kept pushing and put down 25-11. Freshman Lauryn Bourne tallied three kills in the set and ten for the night. She also completed 15 digs and a career-high service aces. Autumn Roach assisted Bourne in one of her three kills and had 24 assists to lead both teams in the game.

MSU put away the final set with a score of 25-12. Kaitlyn Masseth recorded five assists for the set and 20 total. Her 14 digs and 1 kill were a season-high for the sophomore. Jaycie Fuller had a season-best 28 digs, best on both teams, and captured four assists for Midwestern State.

The Mustangs continue competition in the Angelo State Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Junell Center/Stephens Arena. First, they take on Texas A&M International at 10 a.m. and then move on to the hosts and top ranked program in the nation, Angelo State, at 6 p.m.

"I am excited to play the third best team in the country in Angelo State," Armstrong said. "It will be a good test to see where our program is and where we want to go."