SAN ANGELO, Texas – Midwestern State wrapped up the Angelo State Invitational on Saturday night at the Junell Center/Stephens Arena. The last game was against no. 3 Angelo State and the Mustangs came close to the upset but could not pull it off in the 1-3 loss. The team moves to 6-5 overall and 5-3 in the Lone Star Conference.

"We competed well in the first and third sets," said head coach Valerie Armstrong.

Indeed, MSU stuck with the 'Belles throughout the first set, never trailing by more than six points. Lissette Lefforge killed the set with three strikes, one block assist and one solo block. The senior middle registered seven kills on 15 attempts for .267 hitting percent, her best so far this season.

Setter Kaitlyn Masseth had six of her 14 assists in the first, and recorded four digs in the game. Jaycie Fuller added six assists for the Mustangs, her season best thus far.

Kaitlyn Gilbreath pushed ASU to the win with seven kills, four helpers and two block assists in the 25-18 set.

Set two was a little messy for Midwestern State. ASU started with a 7-1 run that the visitors could not overcome in the end. Raven Presley and Kaitlynn Stoker each registered two kills in the set. Presley, who has put up impressive attacking numbers in the tournament this week, got nine kills for a .286 hitting percent. In the last three games, she totals seven blocks and no blocking errors.

Angelo State cleaned up the second 25-13.

Fired up, MSU was on a mission to push the game past three sets. Taylor Anderson, especially, lit a fire during the third. The junior put down five kills and one block assist to urge the win for the Mustangs. She had 11 total kills and .320 hitting percent. Autumn Roach was big too, handing out eight assists, two service aces, and one kill. She lead her team in assists with 20. Two 7-0 runs by Midwestern State lead them to the set win of 25-19.

Momentum swung for MSU and gave them the push they needed to stay in the game. Lauryn Bourne made two kills to help the team to a 4-1 lead. Bourne had seven kills on the night and added five digs.

After Angelo State caught back up, Midwestern stayed within two points until a 12-1 run by the 'Belles overwhelmed MSU. Presley and Lefforge added one kill each, but it was not enough to turn the tides. ASU grabbed the final set 25-16 and sealed the win.

Though the result was disappointing, the team looked at the positives.

"It's great to play a team like that to see where you are at," explained Armstrong. "They don't let you take plays off and that is the consistency we continue to strive for."
 
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The Mustangs get back to Lone Star Conference play with a home series against Cameron in Wichita Falls, Texas. The March 3 and 4 games will start at 7:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. in D.L. Ligon Coliseum. These are MSU's last home games of the regular season.