The Missouri Baptist men's volleyball team traveled to Davenport, Iowa this weekend to participate in the St. Ambrose tournament.  The No. 4 Spartans will face No. 1 Concordia University, No. 5 Hope International University and No. 7 St. Ambrose University.  MBU and St. Ambrose University met last weekend at the Spartan Invitational.  Missouri Baptist defeated the Bees 3-1. 

The Spartans opened up play in Davenport, Iowa tonight against Concordia University-Irvine.  Concordia University-Irvine is the NAIA number one ranked team in the nation.  Prior to the St. Ambrose tournament, the Eagles sat at 16-4. Their loses are to NCAA opponents, University of California-Irvine, University of California-Santa Barbra, Grand Canyon University, and Harvard University.  Senior opposite hitter, Harrison Carroll, leads the Eagles offense. 

The Eagles took the first set over the Spartans, 23-25.  Mico Janicijevic led the Spartan offense with four kills, followed by Kevin Knight with three kills.  In set two, the Spartans again were defeated, 17-25.  The Spartans saw even contributions on offense from Janicijevic, Sean Benedict, and Shane Welch.  Down two sets to none, the Spartans made a push in set three.  The Spartans took the third set over the Eagles 27-25.  Janicijevic added six more kills for the Spartans.  Setter, Rob Esser, contributed with 13 assists, one kill, two aces, and four digs in the third set win over Concordia.  The Spartans carried over the momentum to the fourth set.  However, they were defeated 25-27, allowing the Eagles to take the match 3-1.  Janicijevic and Esser led MBU tonight.  The freshman, Janicijevic, added 17 kills.  Missouri Baptist's setter, senior Rob Esser, had 41 assists on the night. 

With the loss, the Spartans fall to 14-4 on the season. Missouri Baptist will take on No. 5 Hope International University at noon, followed by the hosting No. 7 St. Ambrose University.