Miranda Byrd delivered Midwestern State's first 20-kill, 20-dig performance in five years as the Mustangs survived Texas Woman's University in five sets Saturday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

MSU, which upped its regular season mark to 10-22, improved to 6-5 in the Lone Star Conference. The Mustangs can clinch a berth in the conference postseason with a win next week as they close the regular on the road with matches against Southwestern Oklahoma on Thursday and Central Oklahoma on Saturday.


Byrd put down season highs with 20 kills and 26 digs to become the first MSU player since to post a 20-20 performance since Kate Pence had 20 kills and 20 digs on Oct. 30, 2004 at Cameron. But even after the Mustangs rolled out to easy wins in the opening sets by counts of 25-19 and 25-20, the Pioneers just wouldn't go aw ay.


Even after falling behind 7-0 in the third set, TWU managed to rally for a 25-19 win, then forced a fifth and deciding set by taking the fourth set 25-22. The Mustangs then recovered from an 11-10 deficit to run off four of the last five points to clinch the match with a 15-12 win in Set No. 5.


Sophomore outside hitter Hillary White notched her team-high eighth double-double of the season with 11 kills and 21 digs, while freshman setter Kimberly Jeffrey had 26 set assists and 11 digs and sophomore setter Dimery Michaels added 22 set assists and 10 digs. Freshman outside hitter Shelbi Stewart joined White with 11 kills as the MSU offense managed just a .119 team attack percentage. Sophomore libero Kiara Jordan continued her stellar play by leading back row efforts with 29 digs.


The Mustangs travels to Weatherford to take on Southwestern Oklahoma Thursday night at Rankin Williams Fieldhouse. First service is set for 6 p.m. Texas Wo m an's fell to 14-16 and 4-7.