ST. LOUIS- [BOX SCORE GVU] [BOX SCORE LWC] Missouri Baptist Women's Volleyball faced a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon against two teams ranked in the top 10 of the NAIA National Poll. They would fall to No. 9 Grandview (Iowa) in four sets (25-13, 22-25, 17-25, 29-31) and No. 5 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) in three sets (18-25, 21-25, 20-25). 

In the first match of the day, the Spartans got off to a fast start against the Vikings of Grandview University. They dominated the first set on their way to a convincing 25-13 victory.

That would, unfortunately, be where the fun stopped for Missouri Baptist. In set two, the lead went back and forth, all the way up until 22-22. Two attack errors by MBU and an ace by Grand View's Autumn Wood was enough to square the match at one.

The Vikings carried that momentum to another set victory in the third frame. The Spartans fell behind 7-3 early and could not rally the points for a comeback. Grandview went ahead 2-1 with a 25-17 set win.

It appeared as though the Vikings would cruise to a four-set victory when they jumped out to a 13-9 lead in the fourth set. MBU was once again forced to play catch up. This time, however, up against match point at 21-24, the Spartans clawed their way back to a tie. Missouri Baptist would then have three chances to extend the match, ahead 27-26, 28-27, and 29-28. Each time, Grand View came up with the timely kill or forced the error on MBU. They finally closed out the Spartans 31-29.

Tina Medanovic led the Spartans in kills with 18 on 32 attempts. Mallory Dillon provided 17 kills, while Marion Couraud also reached double-digits with 11. Megan Huffman contributed 49 assists to lead MBU.

The defeat snapped the Spartans 12-match winning streak, but they would have an immediate opportunity to start a new streak. Ranked fifth in the nation, the Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders came into Saturday with just one loss on the season. On Friday night, Grand View pushed them to the limit before falling in a dramatic fifth set.

On Saturday afternoon, the Blue Raiders certainly played like a top five team. They overwhelmed MBU, utilizing a balance unlike anything the Spartans have seen so far this season. Six different Lindsey Wilson players recorded at least five kills in the match.

Missouri Baptist found themselves behind for the majority of the first two sets, not a good place to be when facing a team of Lindsey Wilson's caliber. Finally, in set three, the Spartans had the lead as late as 16-13. However, the Blue Raiders used a timeout to refocus and went on a 12-4 run to complete the sweep.

Mallory Dillon once again reached double-digits in kills (10) for the Spartans. In one of the few bright spots of the day, the senior inched closer to the MBU career kills record (Hannah Carey, 1486 from 2012-2015). She now needs just 20 more to have the record all to herself.

The Spartans hit just .026 for the match but the defensive work of seniors Catie Ward and NatalieGremaud kept MBU within shouting distance. Ward posted 10 digs while Gremaud maintained her team lead with 12 digs.

Missouri Baptist finished the Spartan Invitational with a record of 1-2. They'll look to get back on the winning path when they take on Missouri S&T in Rolla, Missouri next Tuesday, October 11 at 6 pm. The Spartans return home next Friday, October 14 at 6 pm against Benedictine College.

2016 Spartan Invitational All-Tournament Team:

From The Master's University, outside hitter Audrey Pyburn.

From Grand View University, opposite Taylor Wells and outside hitter Erin Wenzel.

From Lindsey Wilson College, setter Makenzie Montano (MVP), right side Elly Burke, and outside hitter Eileen Acuna.

And from Missouri Baptist, outside hitter Mallory Dillon and middle blocker Tina Medanovic.