Tonight the Missouri Baptist Spartans closed out their regular season with a victory of Lindenwood University-Belleville, 3-0.  Prior to match's start, Missouri Baptist took time to show their appreciation for the six graduating seniors.  Rob Esser, Travis Collard, Timmy Duong, Clayton Baker, Jordan Pinto, and Danny Gruszczyk were all honored tonight.  Graduate Assistant Brian Muesenfechter was also shown appreciation as it is his last season as a coach at MBU.

The Spartans came out with a different lineup, full of seniors.  Liberos Travis Collard and Danny Gruszczyk were on the outside, Clayton Baker was on the rightside, Timmy Duong was libero, Rob Esser was setter as usual, and Jordan Pinto and Kevin Knight (a junior) filled the lineup in the middle.  In the first set, Baker, Knight, and Pinto led the Spartan offense with four kills apiece, while Collard added three.  Duong led the back-row with five digs.  MBU took set one from the Lynx, 25-15.

The second set MBU had some other players in.  Andrew Douglas took over as the Spartan's setter, while Josh Comer and Ryan Humiston were on the outside.  Baker chipped in six kills. Douglas had 13 assists in the second set.  The Spartans took the second set 25-14.

MBU's third set lineup consisted of the first set starters.  In the third set, Baker and Gruszczyk combined for six kills to lead the Spartan offense.  On match point, Coach Yehling subbed in the underclassman allowing the seniors to receive a standing ovation from the crowd.  Missouri Baptist shut down the Lynx in set three, 25-9. 

Baker led the Spartan offense tonight with 13 kills and an attacking percentage of .500. Knight and Collard both chipped in six kills. Duong contributed with nine digs. With tonight's win, the Spartans close out their regular season at 21-7 and 6-2 in conference play. The Spartans now wait to hear who their first opponent on the conference tournament will be.