WICHITA FALLS, Texas — Midwestern State (3-0) defeated Newman University (1-2) in a four-set match on Saturday at D.L. Ligon Coliseum, winning 25-13, 25-23, 22-25, 25-13. The Mustangs recorded a .486 hitting percentage in the second set, aiding their decisive victory.
 
Midwestern State began Set 1 with a commanding performance, highlighted by a significant scoring run early in the match. Jaiden Wright initiated the scoring with a kill assisted by Alayna Guerrero, setting a strong tone. Midway through the set, Trinity Vinzant dominated with multiple consecutive kills, contributing to a seven-point streak that pushed the score to 17-4 in favor of the home team. Despite a brief rally from Newman, the Mustangs maintained their advantage with decisive kills from Arrianna Fields and Vinzant, ultimately closing the set at 25-13 with a final kill from Jorgia Sanchez.
 
The second set began with a strong start from the Mustangs as Fields secured the first point with a kill assisted by Guerrero. Vinzant then contributed significantly, landing multiple kills at crucial moments, including one at 6-4, which helped maintain a narrow lead. The set remained tightly contested, with Newman closing the gap multiple times, but key plays by Fields and Guerrero, along with a decisive kill by Sanchez at 24-23, clinched the set 25-23 for Midwestern.
 
Set 3 began with the Jets establishing an early lead, scoring four consecutive points, including a service ace by Madalyn Hoot at 3-0. The Mustangs responded with a block from Isabella Dickens and Vinzant, breaking the Jets' streak and gaining momentum. Guerrero facilitated several key plays, including a kill by Fields at 13-9, and later a series of kills by Dickens, narrowing the gap to 24-19. Despite a late rally from Midwestern, which included a block by Demi Stauffenberg and Wright at 24-22, Newman secured the set with a final kill from Hannah Tymitz, concluding the set 25-22 in favor of the visitors.
 
Midwestern State started fourth frame with a commanding presence, quickly establishing a lead with key contributions from Vinzant and Guerrero. A pivotal moment came when Guerrero assisted Wright and Dickens for consecutive kills, propelling the Mustangs to an 8-4 advantage. Midway through the set, Guerrero's consistent setups facilitated Vinzant and Stauffenberg to extend the lead to 20-10. The set concluded with Midwestern State's decisive 25-13 triumph, sealed by a kill from Dickens, capping a strong team effort to close the match.
 
Vinzant led the Mustangs with 15.5 points, contributing 13 kills and two aces over four sets. Guerrero directed the offense with 38 assists and added four total blocks. Wright tallied 12.5 points, including 10 kills and four total blocks, on a .368 hitting percentage. Fields added 10 points with 10 kills on a .318 hitting percentage across three sets. A trio of Mustangs were recognized to the all-tournament team, as  Dickens, Guerrero, and Vinzant all-tournament accolades.
 
The Mustangs take their first road trip of the season, heading to the Tiger Classic hosted hosted by Forts Hays State. In the single day tournament, MSU will face Augustana (S.D). followed by batting the host later in the day. Read Full Article