Contributed by Travis Collard
Sports Information Assistant

Lamoni, Iowa – The second ranked Missouri Baptist men's volleyball team started off their spring break trip on a high note with a four set win against the sixth ranked Grand View University and a three set victory against Graceland University (25-17, 26-24, 25-21). 

The Spartans came out very strong in the first set against the Yellow Jackets with a 10-4 lead before Graceland head coach, Chad McDole called timeout. The team would not stop pushing and took the first set easily 25-17.

The second set was a slow start for the team as they trailed the Yellow Jackets 21-17, but Josh Comer served the team back in the game 21-20. With great defense down the stretch and Kevin Knight's service ace at 24-24, the Spartans took the set 26-24.

The third and final set was in favor of the Spartans the whole way with a couple key blocks by Clayton Baker and Jordan Pinto. The team had 26 total digs and hit a season high .352 offensively.

Danny Traylor led the Spartans with 12 kills and a .450 attack percentage. Robert Esser dished out 38 assists and Danny Gruszczyk led the Spartan defense with 8 digs. The team will look to hold onto their number two ranking as they fly to California for the 2013 Asics/Wyndham Hotel Spring Tournament hosted by Concordia University Irvine.