ST. LOUIS – Just minutes apart, down Conway Road in Creve Couer, Missouri Baptist took on Maryville University on Tuesday evening. The MBU Spartans overcame a slow second set en route to a 3-1 win over next-door neighbor Maryville University, thus winning the season series 2-0.
Missouri Baptist (9-1) easily dispatched of the Saints in the first set, but Maryville came roaring back in the second game. Maryville's Mikaela Lahm led the attack with six kills in the set and a perfect 1.000 attack percentage to even the contest.
The Spartans countered in the third game, however. MBU put together a 12-3 lead led by Maddy Hammack's five kills and Ally Krus' 14 assists to take the game 25-14.
In the fourth set, Maryville applied pressure to the home team. Stuck in a 15-17 deficit, Missouri Baptist went on a 6-0 run to take a 21-17 lead. After a Saints' timeout and two consecutive MU points, however, the Spartans finished on a four-point run to win its seventh consecutive match.
For the Saints, Lahm led the way with 15 kills and a .481 attack percentage. On the Missouri Baptist side, Ally Krus again played a big role for the offense. The sophomore setter finished with 43 assists, and an ace while Maddy Hammack and Hannah Carey combined for 26 of the team's 56 kills on the night.
Missouri Baptist held the Saints to an attack percentage of .145 while Maryville bested the Spartans with five blocks to MBU's three.
Next up for Missouri Baptist will be a southern swing over the weekend as the team will play Lyon College on Friday and will finish with a match against Williams Baptist on Saturday.
