ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] The No. 1-ranked Missouri Baptist men's volleyball team won a three set roller coaster rematch of the South conference championship against No. 2-ranked Park Pirates (Mo.) and advanced to the NAIA National Invitational Championship match. 

As tensions mounted through warm-ups things escalated quickly throughout the first set. Chris Flood got this started off for the Spartans (29-8, 8-1) with two services aces in his serving bought.  MBU started off in the lead, but the Pirates weren't far behind and closed the gap to one until Kevin Knight stepped up to the service line and held there for six service opportunities.  The Spartans continued to hold the lead as Mico Janicijevic hammered home a kill to put Missouri Baptist up by six points.

The battle continued as Park just trailed MBU. With game point on the horizon, Missouri Baptist held their ground and with a foot fault by the Pirates the Spartans took set one.

Both teams settled in for the second set on this fiery match as Park stuck first blood with an ace. MBU, however was back in control after just two plays. Knight fired up the Spartans squad with a throw down off of an overpass from the Pirates. Missouri Baptist remained in the lead through the remainder of the set as Knight closed out the set with a kill. The Spartans held Park to a 0.121 hitting percentage in the set.

MBU took the lead in the third set right away and ran with it, but the Pirates fought back to tie the game at seven a piece. Shane Welch came in clutch with a crucial kill to put Missouri Baptist back in the lead. The Spartans continued to gain on that lead to match point where Janicijevic put the final nail in to coffin to secure the Spartans slot in the championship match.  Missouri Baptist dominated the third set with a striking 0.579 hitting percentage.

The score has evened out for the teams, as the last time the Pirates and the Spartans met in the Semifinals in 2013, Park defeated MBU in three sets. Missouri Baptist advances to the Championship match to play the winner of the St. Ambrose vs. Grand View match. 

Janicijevic led the Spartans with 14 kills on the night. Welch, had no attacking errors and posted a hitting percentage of 0.667 off of four kills and six total attempts.

Missouri Baptist will return to the court Saturday, April 25, at 6 pm for the 2015 NAIA National Invitational Championship match.