ST.LOUIS - [BOX SCORE] The Missouri Baptist men's volleyball team became the National Champions at the 2015 NAIA National Invitational, presented by Tachikara, with a 3-0 sweep of St. Ambrose University (Iowa) under the watchful eyes of a full house of over 900 fans.
Missouri Baptist (30-8, 8-1) started-off set one with a stuff block from Shane Welch and Mico Janicijevic. As Welch stepped up to the service line, Janicijevic produced two kills in a row, a block and yet another kill, to keep him at the service line to give MBU a sizeable advantage. The Spartans remained in the lead for the rest of the set and were handed game point with a service error from the Bees.
Set two produced yet another thrilling set for the lively crowd as the Bees started off with the lead. With a kill from setter Kyle Foley, the Spartans made their advance on SAU and regained the lead. Point after point MBU showed just why they were seeded number one in the tournament and produced yet another winning set with a kill from Welch. Missouri Baptist held St. Ambrose to their lowest hitting percentage of 0.034 in the set.
In set three MBU continued the momentum from the last two sets and started things off with a kill from Welch right off the bat. Sean Benedict and Welch followed the kill with a stuff block to continue the lead. However, the Bees kept the score close and challenged MBU throughout the set.
Janicijevic came up with a kill at just the right moment to fire up the Spartans and MBU ran away with the lead. Middle Shane Welch came up with a dig, put down a kill from the back row, and followed it up with an ace to put the Spartans up by seven. St. Ambrose went on a three point run to close the deficit but after a quick time out by the Spartans they were back in control. Missouri Baptist encroached on game point with a foot fault at the service line from St. Ambrose.
After a kill from Benedict the Spartans were at match point. Unable to find the court, there was a service error for MBU. St. Ambrose with the chance to gain some ground, had the serve but with the chanting of the Missouri Baptist crowd the Bees serve fell short for the Spartan victory. The Spartans held the Bees to seven kills in the final set.
Janicijevic led the Spartans wih 13 kills and was followed by Benedict on the right side with nine kills of his own.
The Spartans finished the 2015 season on top. The team not only tied for regular season winners and won the South Conference Championship but topped it off with becoming the 2015 NAIA Men's Volleyball National Champions.
At the conclusion of the championship match, Kyle Foley and Chris Flood were named to the All-Tournament team while Foley was named Tournament Most Vaulable Player.
Missouri Baptist Head Coach John Yehling was named the NAIA Coach of the Year after the match after guiding his team to the National Title in his 13th season at the helm.
