MURFREESBORO, TENN. — Karina Garlington had 12 kills but the Kansas University volleyball team fell, 3-1 (25-16, 18-25, 25-19, 25-18) to Middle Tennessee State in both teams’ season opener in the MTSU Invitational on Friday.

With Kansas trailing, 21-13 in the fourth set, the Jayhawks tried to string together a comeback and scored four of the next five points. But the Blue Raiders hung on to win the set (25-18) and the match.

Garlington, a junior, led KU with her 12 kills, while senior Brittany Williams added seven.

On defense, junior libero Melissa Manda dug up a team-high 14 balls.

The Jayhawks play again at 10:30 this morning against Xavier and at 5 p.m. against Murray State to conclude the tournament.