Sioux City, Iowa - After a four-set battle, the Missouri Baptist University women's volleyball squad fell to MidAmerica Nazarene in its final contest of the year, 3-1.
The Spartans looked much more like themselves in the first set, after a week where the team seemed off-balance. The team came out to a quick lead, but MidAmerica stuck around. After going up 17-16 late, the set became a see-saw battle. Both teams continued to go on short runs to retake the lead. After the Pioneers grabbed a 23-21 lead, MBU began to come back yet again, but MNU held them at bay, beating the Spartans 25-23.
In the second set, MBU looked extremely strong in the early-going, but was unable to hold-off the Pioneers. After taking an early 11-7 lead, MidAmerica stormed back to tie and eventually take a late 20-17 lead. As play progressed, the team made every attempt to come back, but the Pioneers clung to their lead, winning 25-22.
All that is known for sure about the third set is something ignited the Spartans. The team came out to a quick 2-0 lead and the team applied pressure throughout the set, never letting the Pioneers get into it. During the match, the MNU head coach tossed her clipboard to the ground as she called a timeout after watching Missouri Baptist change the landscape of the match. For every point that MidAmerica put on the board, MBU seemed to record two.
Spartan setter and AMC Newcommer of the Year, Lauren Stuckel had two kills that fooled the Pioneers, leading Missouri Baptist to a 25-23 win. This was the first set win for the team on the week and pleased the several parents and sponsors that were in attendance, cheering on the squad.
The Spartans opened up the fourth set looking to extend the match even further. MidAmerica, however, had other plans. The Pioneers opened a 15-5 lead on MBU. As MNU closed-in on its final victory of the season, Missouri Baptist continued to play out every point and embody the true spirit of a Champion of Character. The never-say-die attitude was apparent as the team left everything out on the court. The pioneers went on to win 25-17, but could not take away the spirit that the squad in blue displayed throughout the tournament.
MBU's Casey Chernin led the team with 18 kills, while Jessica Bowman and Lucy ford combined for 19 of their own. Senior Tracey Abell finished with 13 digs and Belleville native, Lauren Stuckel recorded a whopping 37 assists.
