TYLER, Texas — UT Tyler (10-8, 6-2 Lone Star) edged Midwestern St. (13-5, 6-3 Lone Star) in a five-set match on Saturday at Herrington Patriot Center, winning with scores of 19-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-15, 15-13.

Midwestern State started the first set with a strong defensive effort, capitalizing on UT Tyler's errors to take an early 2-0 lead. A crucial block by Isabella Dickens set the tone for the visitors. A balanced attack featuring Trinity Vinzant and Jaiden Wright helped the Mustangs maintain momentum, achieving a 10-8 advantage with Dickens contributing key kills.

The Mustangs extended their lead with a series of plays, including a service ace from Demi Stauffenberg and consistent setting from Alayna Guerrero. The team widened the gap to 18-10, capitalizing on the opponent's mistakes. Despite a brief Patriots rally, MSU closed the set with a service ace from Giselle Cazares, securing a 25-19 victory.

The Maroon & Gold began the second set with a strong response after an initial deficit. Following a service error by UT Tyler, Vinzant sparked a rally with consecutive kills, assisted by Guerrero, leading to a 4-0 run that included back-to-back service aces. This surge allowed the Mustangs to take a 6-4 lead.

MSU maintained momentum through the middle of the set, with Wright and Vinzant combining for a block to reclaim the lead at 7-5. The set saw several momentum shifts, but the Mustangs capitalized on UT Tyler's errors to regain control. A crucial kill by Vinzant tied the score at 19 before Demi Stauffenberg's kill, again assisted by Guerrero, pushed Midwestern St. ahead 20-19.

With the score tied at 21, Midwestern St. executed a decisive closing run, capitalizing on attack errors by UT Tyler and a service ace from Vinzant. Dickens sealed the set with a kill, assisted by Guerrero, resulting in a 25-22 victory for Midwestern St., leveling the match.

In the third set, Midwestern State's Isabella Dickens initiated the scoring with a kill, assisted by Guerrero. The set featured a back-and-forth exchange of points, with Dickens and Vinzant each contributing key kills to keep the score tight. Despite trailing, Midwestern State managed a late surge, closing the gap to 22-24 with a series of kills by Vinzant and a service ace from Demi Stauffenberg. However, a final kill by UT Tyler's Autumn Perry closed the set, resulting in a 25-22 outcome in favor of UT Tyler.

The fourth set began with Midwestern St. gaining an early point advantage, capitalizing on an attack error by Chelsea Caskey. However, UT Tyler quickly responded with multiple kills, including two by Autumn Perry, to take the lead 3-1. MSU fought back to tie the score at 4-4, with Trinity Vinzant contributing a key kill assisted by Alayna Guerrero.

 UT Tyler shifted momentum significantly with a series of points, including a service ace and multiple kills, to extend their lead to 14-8. The Mustangs continued to battle, with Arrianna Fields and Stauffenberg each securing kills, reducing the deficit to 21-11.

Despite efforts from Midwestern St., including a service ace by Cazares and another by Stauffenberg, UT Tyler closed the set strong. Autumn Perry's consistent offensive performance was pivotal as UT Tyler sealed the set with a 25-15 victory, concluding the set with a decisive kill from Perry.

Midwestern State began the fifth set with momentum, taking an early 2-0 lead through kills from Stauffenberg and Vinzant, both assisted by Guerrero. UT Tyler responded with a series of points, pulling ahead 5-3 after successful plays by Kailey Manes and Autumn Perry.

Midwestern State remained resilient, narrowing the gap to 8-7 with a service ace by Vinzant and capitalizing on opponent errors. Despite this effort, the Patriots extended their lead again to 13-7, with Alyson Robbins and Chelsea Caskey contributing to the scoring.

Midwestern State mounted a comeback, advancing to 13-11 with a service ace from Cazares and a block by Dickens. Fields added a key kill to bring the score to 14-13. However, the set closed with UT Tyler securing the final point to win 15-13.

Vinzant led the team with 20 digs and contributed 17.5 points. Guerrero facilitated the offense with 44 assists, demonstrating her playmaking ability. Dickens posted 13 kills with a hitting percentage of .345, adding 16 points to the team's total. Stauffenberg delivered three service aces and tallied 12 points, complementing her 14 digs on defense.

Next up for the MSU squad is a trip to the Steinke Center to face Texas A&M-Kingsville. The match is set for October 24 at 6 p.m. Read Full Article