GOLDEN, Colo. -- Though they got better with each set, Midwestern State ended day one of the Oredigger Classic with a loss to No. 12 Colorado School of Mines by 3-0 (11-25, 14-25, 24-26). With half of the tournament done, the Mustangs sit 0-2 with two more matches to play.

MSU started slow again in the first set against the Orediggers and quickly fell behind. Kaitlynn Stoker registered three of th Mustang's five kills and concluded the set with a .125 hitting percent. Overall, the junior made waves with seven kills to lead her team on the night.

Colorado School of Mines recorded 15 kills in the first round, which helped them drown out Midwestern State 25-11. Taylor Anderson's net game started great with two block assists and ended at a total of five to level with the opposition's Julia Eiken and Amanda Donais.

The second set was better for the Mustangs as they kept up with the Orediggers to level at 4-4. The away team upped their kills to nine before a seven point run by the home side put things away. Autumn Roach contributed four assists in the set and totaled 15 overall. The final score ended at 25-14 heading into the final set. 

However, MSU did not go down without a fight. The Mustangs stayed within two of the School of Mines up to 13-11 and took their first lead at 15. The middle blocker duo of Alex Serna and Lissette Lefforge were a big reason for the surge. Serna collected four kills and a block assist in the third set and ended at five kills and two block assists.

The Orediggers did not gain the lead back until the 21st point. They still had a tough time after Lefforge notched back-to-back block assists. The senior totaled six kills and four block assists in the match. The home side used three kills and a service ace to take the third and final set 26-24.

Freshmen Amy DeWalt led the Mustangs with seven digs from the back line while Reagan Willms added seven assists.

Midwestern State is back in action on Saturday, Sept. 4 in day two of the Oredigger Classic. The first match of the day begins at 10:30 am CT against the University of Sioux Falls and the second is up against Seattle Pacific at 3:30 p.m. CT. Both games take place at Lockridge Arena in Golden, Colo., and will be streamed online with live stats.