LAWTON, Okla. – The Mustangs started the first of two series up at Aggie Gym against the Red River Rival, Cameron. Though MSU fell in the first set, they rallied to overcome the Aggies with three straight. Final score fell in favor of MSU, 3-1 (22-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-17).
 
The first set was up for grabs as Cameron and Midwestern State stayed within a point or two for the full duration. Freshman outside hitter Lauryn Bourne led both teams with four kills and was 50 percent on hitting for set one. She also registered 16 digs for the night.
 
Caitlyn Henderson and Natalia Araujo da Silva were clutch on the blocking side for the Aggies. Each recorded two blocks for the first round.
 
The visitors down 19-23, climbed back but eventually fell 22-25. Cameron registered ten kills on 31 attacks and Midwestern State was eleven for 41.
 
The visitors are 3-0 in 2021 when dropping the first set of the match.
 
The Mustangs started set two strong, gaining a 4-1 lead off from an ace by Jaycie Fuller. The senior defensive specialist was the game dig leader with 25. The Aggies pushed their way back to a tie at 5-5. Alanni Carter and Walia Franklin helped with their hits (35 and 34).
 
Three consecutive big hits and a service ace by Lissette Lefforge to keep the Mustangs up by four, gave them the momentum swing they needed.
 
"We have to continue to start out strong," said head coach Val Armstrong. "Once we get our middles going and Lissette got going, we were good."
 
Midwestern State captured the second set 25-19.
 
The roars from senior right-side hitter Raven Presley and the rest of the players were abound for set three with the Mustangs pounding kill after kill. Presley herself had a .308 hitting percentage on Tuesday. MSU went on to defeat the Lawton squad 25-15. Kaitlynn Stoker had three kills in the third and nine in all.
 
The final set began almost perfectly for the visitors. Lefforge nailed four kills in 9-1 run on the Aggies.
 
"Passing and serving tough was the strength of our team tonight," commented Armstrong.
 
The team had a total 13 service aces against the Aggie's three. Sophomore setter Kaitlyn Masseth led both teams in assists (26). Fellow setter Autumn Roach wasn't far behind with 21 and had ten digs. Midwestern State silenced Cameron 25-17 in the fourth set using their tough passes and serves.
 
The Mustangs are now at 4-1, the best start to the season since 2014. The return to Aggie Gym on Wednesday, Feb. 10 to finish the series against Cameron. First serve is at 5:30 p.m.