ST. LOUIS – [SAINT XAVIER BOX SCORE] [LAKELAND BOX SCORE] After dropping its first match of the year to Lewis University on Tuesday, Missouri Baptist bounced back with wins over Saint Xavier and Lakeland College on Friday evening.
Missouri Baptist (6-1, 2-0 NAIA South) has shown several signs of brilliance this season, which continued in the Chicagoland area in the team's two Friday matches.
In the first match, the Spartans quickly dispatched a winless Saint Xavier team 3-0, thanks, in part, to a big match by Mico Janicijevic. The freshman from Serbia posted nine kills and a .500 attack percentage in just two sets played. Setter Rob Esser was equally good and posted 33 assists and three service aces over the three sets. Esser averaged 11 assists per set in the match.
Freshman Ryan Humiston also added valuable playing time. The Fontbonne University transfer added four kills on five swings in one set of play.
In the second match, Lakeland College presented a bigger challenge and took one set from the No. 3-ranked Spartans. The NCAA Division III opponent entered Friday's match 6-1 on the year and took the first set from Missouri Baptist and nearly the second, but the Spartans held strong.
Janicijevic had another huge match with 19 kills and a .389 attack percentage to lead his team offensively. Esser posted 40 assists along with one service ace, one solo block and one block assist.
After dropping the first set 25-19, the Spartans rallied and took the second game 26-24. MBU rolled from this point forward. The Spartans took the third set 25-16 and finished the match with a 25-21 fourth set victory.
Clayton Baker finished with 10 kills for MBU while Josh Comer picked-up eight.
On the Muskies' side, Alec Redlic recorded 12 kills to lead his team. The junior also posted two service aces and two solo blocks on the night.
The Spartans were plagued by service errors on Friday, especially in the second match. MBU committed 21 service errors against the Muskies.
Next-up for the Spartans will be a Monday night conference showdown in Hannibal, as the team will travel to face the Hannibal-LaGrange Trojans. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
