The notorious dictator Napoleon once said, “You become strong by defying defeat and by turning loss into gain and failure to success.”
Along with this uplifting quote by a not-so-uplifting figure in history, the Mustangs volleyball team can take the inspiration as a recovery from the losses they experienced over the weekend against Abilene Christian and Angelo State.
First, MSU battled alongside ACU and kept a good run in the first two opening sets before falling to an indefinite loss, 30-28, 25-22, 25-18.
The opening set featured 13 ties and three lead changes, but the Mustangs weren’t able to close out the winning points.
Hillary White put down 10 kills, six of which were all committed in the first set.
White also helped MSU lead to a .255 team hitting percentage, along with her 10th double-double of the season with 12 digs and two blocks.
In the second set, the Mustangs came close to a win once again as they made it through 17 ties and eight lead changes, but ACU used their outside hitter, Jennie Hutt, as a weapon to put down MSU.
Shelbi Stewart endured a perfect match for her record, adding nine kills without a single error to account for a .474 hitting percentage.
Caitlin Wallace added seven kills and four blocks, while the back row was lead by Kiara Jordan with 16 digs. Brandi Flores notched in 10 digs.
The following Saturday, MSU went back on the road to the Stephens Arena in San Angelo where they suffered another loss to ASU, 25-21, 25-12, 25-16.
The loss marked the sixth consecutive loss for the Mustangs.
Stewart was hot in action as she put down her team-high of 10 kills, seven in the first set, along with three blocks.
Jordan once again led back row with 22 digs while Flores added 12. Katie Bertling notched three blocks for MSU.
Even though the Mustangs succumbed to a loss, they will get another chance this Thursday afternoon in the opening round of the Lone Star Conference Championship at the West Texas A&M Event Center in Canyon.
“I’m pretty excited about being able to get this senior group back into the tournament, it gives them their shot,” Coach Venera Flores-Stafford said.
“I think overall our conference is pretty balanced,” Flores-Stafford said. “So it’s anyone’s game.”
MSU will once again take on the Rambelles of Angelo State University. First serve is set for 2:30 p.m.
