
It was definitely an historic night for Midwestern State's Kiara Jordan.
The sophomore libero had a one-armed dig here, a great read there and seemed to be in the right spot all night long.
Unfortunately, MSU wasn't able to capitilize on Jordan's program-best 50 dig match as it was Texas A&M-Commerce who came away with a 21-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-17, 16-14 win Thursday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
The loss sent the Mustangs to 9-22 on the season and 5-5 in conference as Midwestern faces a must-win match Saturday night against Texas Woman's University.
MSU squares off with the Pioneers for senior night Saturday at Ligon Coliseum. First serve is set for 6 p.m.
The fell into a three-way tie for sixth place with Southeastern Oklahoma and East Central just one match ahead of Central Oklahoma and TWU for the fina l playoff spot.
The Mustangs close the season with matches at Southwestern Oklahoma and Central Oklahoma next week.
Jordan, however, made it memorable.
The 5-4 Gilmer, Texas native posted the second-best dig performance in NCAA Division II this season falling just two shy of Central Arkansas' Crystal Roberts, who posted 52 digs agianst East Texas Bapitst on Sep. 8, 2009.
It was the fourth most in NCAA Division II since rally scoring was adopted in 2001 as Central Missouri's Katie Tarka had 57 against Drury on Oct. 3, 2003 and Washburn's Erica Cowhick had 51 agianst Pittsburg State (Kan.) on Sep. 13, 2006.
Jordan's performance was easily the best in the Lone Star Conference this season best Texas A&M-Commerce's Lauren Flynn's 40-dig effort against Central Oklahoma last Thursday.
Jordan easily outdistanced Tina Bradford (Nov. 11, 1995 vs. Harding (Ark.)) and Beth Sadler (Oct. 31, 1996 vs. Texas A&M-Commerce) for the school record.
The back row wizard had 16 of her digs in the opening set as the Mustangs rolled out to wins in the first two sets before the Lions roared back to take the last three to claim the victory.
Sophomore outside hitter Miranda Byrd paced the MSU attack with 18 kills, while Hillary White and Sesley Graves notched 13 and 10 kills, respectively.
Junior middle blocker Lauren Bayer notched seven total blocks, while White added four of her own.
Four different players notched double-doubles for the Mustangs, including sophomore setter Dimery Michaels (26 set assists, 16 digs), freshman setter Kimberly Jeffrey (21 set assists, 10 digs), Byrd (18 kills, 12 digs) and White (13 kills, 13 digs),.
Texas A&M-Commmerce was paced by junior outside hitter Naomi Mays who had 17 kills and five blocks, while senior libero Lauren Flynn had 34 digs.
The Lions improved to 22-7 and 7-3.