ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Missouri Baptist women's volleyball needed just three sets in the quarterfinals of the American Midwest Conference tournament to advance past Lyon College. The Spartans, led by Maddy Hammack, beat Lyon in straight sets to earn a spot in the conference semifinals on Thursday.
No. 13 Missouri Baptist (33-2) started off slow against a motivated Lyon squad and the Scots quickly took advantage. The team took a surprising 16-14 lead on MBU in the first set before the Spartans called a timeout to gather themselves. After the break, MBU turned it on and quickly took the lead back on the way to a 25-20 victory.
The second set began much differently as Missouri Baptist carried a three to four point lead nearly the entire set. Lyon's Halley Watson posted four kills in the set, trying to keep her team in the hunt, but MBU just had an extra step. Spartan outside hitter Maddy Hammack recorded seven kills and a .500 attack percentage in the set to lead her team to a 25-19 win.
Lyon made every effort to change its fate in the third set, beginning with the first point and keeping it within two as the team trailed 10-12. Lyon brought it within one at 8-9 and 9-10, but at that point, MBU broke free. The Spartans went on a 6-2 run to make it a 16-12 Spartan lead.
As the match continued, it was clear that MBU had more in the tank as the team allowed just three Scots' points from that point forward. MBU finished the game on a kill by middle blocker Madeline Nesbit to win the match 3-0 and advance to Thursday's semifinal.
Lyon was led on the night by the play of Lyon outside hitter Suzanne Fincham. The senior from Arkansas posted 11 kills in 19 attempts for an attack percentage of .526. For Missouri Baptist, Hammack again led the team with a stellar effort. The junior from St. Louis recorded 18 kills with an attack percentage of .429. The Northern Iowa transfer also recorded a double-double with 12 digs to go along with her kills on the night.
Also turning in big performances for MBU were Madeline Nesbit and Ally Krus, Nesbit, the middle blocker from Belleville, Ill., finished with eight kills and a .438 attack percentage. From the setter position, Krus finished with 39 assists, an average of 13 assists per set.
Awaiting the Spartans in the next round are the Park Pirates. As many will recall, Missouri Baptist has quite the history of late with Park as the teams have played two extraordinarily close matches this season, both comeback victories by MBU.
The Pirates will be looking to beat the Spartans for the opportunity to head to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round on Nov. 17, 2012. The winner of Thursday's match will likely head to Columbia College on Saturday to face NAIA No. 3, Columbia College.
Thursday's match will be hosted by Missouri Baptist and is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. first serve in the Lacey Gymnasium of the Carl and Deloris Petty Sports and Recreation Complex.
