The Spartans travelled to Quincy, Ill. tonight to take on the Hawks of Quincy University. Entering tonight's contest, the Hawks sat at 12-11. Missouri Baptist entered tonight's contest at 19-7. This non-conference matchup turned out to be a thriller, just as the Spartans match against Park was the night before, except the Spartans came out on top.
Missouri Baptist began the match with a set one victory over the Hawks. The Spartans gained control of the set early on. At 21-16, Quincy went on few point run, before two Hawk hitting errors, a Mico Janicijevic kill, and a block by the pair of Sean Benedict and Jordan Pinto, MBU took set one, 25-18.
Set two had a different outcome, as the Hawks defeated the Spartans. Missouri Baptist had the lead at 24-21, before allowing Quincy two kills, a block, and two aces. The Hawks took set two 24-26.
The Spartans allowed Quincy to gain control of the third set early on. Although they trailed the entire set, MBU posted a late third set rally, making the score 24-23. The Spartans, however, were not able to extend the run, allowing the Hawks to take set three, 25-23.
MBU knew they had to force the fifth set for a chance at a victory, so it was no surprise that set four was a very close back and forth battle between the Spartans and Hawks. Points were exchanged evenly until 8-8, when Missouri Baptist made a push. The Spartans led from there on out, by three to five points at all times. Janicijevic offense guided the Spartans, and a Rob Esser kill ended the set, 25-20.
The fifth set proved to be another thriller. The Spartans and Hawks played point for point until they were tied at five. A kill by Clayton Baker and block by Baker and Davardo Rolle allowed MBU to pick up a two-point advantage. The lead for the Spartans was never more than two. Thanks to a kill from Baker, MBU had match point at 14-12. QU responded with two consecutive kills, forcing Missouri Baptist head coach, John Yehling, to take a timeout at 14-14. A Hawk service error and Janicijevic kill closed the match out for the Spartans, taking set five and the match, 16-14.
Freshman outside hitter, Janicijevic, was phenomenal for the Spartans tonight. The Serbian native had a career high of 25 kills, and an outstanding attacking percentage of .431. In the five set match Janicijevic only committed three errors. Baker chipped in with 13 kills. Libero, Danny Gruszczyk had a season-high 25 digs, leading the Spartan defense. Esser tallied 56 assists in tonight's match. With tonight's win, MBU improves to 20-7.
Tomorrow night the Spartans return to the court in their home gymnasium to take on the Lynx of Lindenwood University-Belleville. Missouri Baptist's six seniors, Rob Esser, Travis Collard, Timmy Duong, Clayton Baker, Jordan Pinto, Danny Gruszczyk, will be honored prior to the match's start at 7PM.
