ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] No. 5 Missouri Baptist men's volleyball opened its season at home with a 3-1 (25-19, 25-27, 25-17, 25-20) win against the Trojans of Hannibal LaGrange University. With the win, the Spartans start the season off undefeated overall, in conference, and at home.

MBU went back and forth with the Trojans to start things off. Up 13-10 in the first set, Shane Welch found his way to the service line for a four point run to give the Spartans a seven point cushion. Welch's serving in the first set made the difference in a 25-19 win in the first set.

Hannibal LaGrange pushed MBU in the second set, however. The lead transfered back and forth as the score was tied 13 times before the Trojans put together a final push to tie the match at 1-1 with a 25-27 victory.

Missouri Baptist took the lead early in the third set and advanced their lead that kept senior Kevin Knightat the service line for a six point run. The Spartans closed-out the set with a commanding eight point difference.

The Spartans peaked at the right moment in the fourth set. Hannibal-LaGrange started off on top, but MBU responded to tie the game at 10-10. 

Missouri Baptist continued to apply pressure and worked its way to a 25-20 set 4 victory to win the match 3-1.

Transfer Chris Flood led the Spartans in kills with 12 kills on the night. Shane Welch ended the night with 11 kills on 17 total attempts giving him a 0.588 attack percentage. Mico Janicijevic also closed out four sets with 11 kills.  

MBU will return to their home court on Thursday, Januray 15, 2015, to face New Jersey Institute of Technology at 8:00 pm.