PORTALES, N.M. – St. Edward's volleyball had its three-match win streak snapped by Midwestern State, ending the LSC Crossover with a four-set defeat, losing 25-27, 21-25, 25-18, 19-25. 
 
"Today, we ran out of gas physically and emotionally. The team sparked some energy after the second set but couldn't sustain it," St. Edward's Head Volleyball Coach Jared Te'o says. "MSU did a great job getting us out of system."
 
Both teams battled back and forth in a first set that featured 16 ties and eight lead changes, with neither team opening more than a three-point lead. Lauryn Bourne led Midwestern State with five kills on a .556 hitting percentage in the set for the win in extra points. 
 
St. Edward's made a late 3-0 run in the second set, tying the match at 20 on a kill by LOURDES GOMEZ and taking a brief lead on an MSU attack error. However, the Mustangs immediately reeled off a 5-0 run with the help of back-to-back kills by Riley Rabedeaux to take the set. 
 
The Hilltopper defense dug in for the third set, limiting the Mustangs to a -.100 hitting percentage with five digs from libero SARAH KONOVODOFF and six team blocks, including four block assists from CASSIDY COLE to get back in the match. 
 
Midwestern State responded with a solid defensive effort to take the fourth set and secure the match.
 
LOURDES GOMEZ posted a team-high 11 kills, an ace, and 16 digs, and ADDY BADLEY added nine kills on an efficient .360 hitting percentage. Konovodoff finished with 26 digs, and JAIDEN LAVANWAY led the team with 18 assists. Lauryn Bourne and Rabedeaux had 11 and 10 kills to lead Midwestern State. 
 
"We have a chance to correct some things on our side before we play them on Friday in our conference opener at home," Te'o says. "Overall, I'm proud of our team for finishing 3-1 this weekend, and I know they're ready to get to work this week to improve on some things from that last match." 
 
St. Edward's drops to 4-8 with the loss. The Hilltoppers will open conference play by hosting Midwestern State next Friday at 6 p.m.