AUSTIN, Texas — St. Edward's women's volleyball showed flashes of fight but couldn't sustain momentum Friday night, falling to Midwestern State 3-1 (25-17, 25-16, 23-25, 25-18) at the Recreation and Athletics Center in Lone Star Conference play.

The Hilltoppers (3-6, 0-4 LSC) dropped the first two sets as Midwestern State (9-2, 3-0) hit a combined .230 in a strong opening stretch and controlled play at the net. The Mustangs built early leads in both sets and never trailed by more than two points after the midway mark, holding St. Edward's to just .119 hitting in the opener and .083 in the second.

St. Edward's responded with its best volleyball of the night in the third set. Behind steady setting from ALTHEA MORRIS and timely kills from ADDY BADLEY and KELLI FORDING, the Hilltoppers raced out to a 12-7 lead and weathered a late rally to take a 25-23 win. The home side hit .224 in the frame — more than doubling its efficiency from the first two sets — while holding Midwestern State to a match-low .143.

Midwestern State regained control in the fourth, using a 6-1 run midway through the set to break open a tight contest. Trinity Vinzant and Jaiden Wright powered the Mustangs' attack down the stretch, and a Wright kill sealed the match at 25-18.

Fording led St. Edward's with 13 kills and four aces, while Badley added 11 on .206 hitting. Morris paced the offense with 27 assists, and libero GISELLE OJEDA anchored the defense with 16 digs. St. Edward's finished with six team blocks to Midwestern State's eight.