SIOUX CITY, Iowa – [BOX SCORE] Just 12 hours after a thrilling victory to get into the 2016 NAIA Women's Volleyball National Championship Elimination Bracket, Missouri Baptist watched its season come to an end in dramatic fashion. After struggling in the first set, the Spartans put together a show for a big crowd at the Tyson Event Center, but fell just short in a four set, 3-1 loss to Lindsey Wilson (Ky.).

Missouri Baptist (29-11) found its rhythm after suffering a 25-15 loss in the first set on Friday morning. In a match that most considered to be one of the most evenly-matched contests in the early going of elimination play, the Spartans put together a remarkable effort and out-played the Blue Raiders beginning mid way through the second set.

Lindsey Wilson took a 19-11 lead and looked to be headed for another lopsided victory before the Spartans buckled down and found the level of play it had not displayed yet in the Championship. From eight points down, Missouri Baptist stormed back behind the stellar play of Mallory Dillon and Marion Couraud and put together a 9-2 run from this point.

Down by just one, the Spartans forced the issue for the remainder of the contest and took the game right to the Blue Raiders, a team with just one loss in 2016. Lindsey Wilson hung-on for a razor-tight 29-27 victory in the second frame, but lost control of the momentum in the match.

The Spartans, whom had yet to play their best volleyball in the 2016 National Championship, found itself in the driver's seat in the third set and made a statement that they could play with anyone in the 2016 field.

The third set went the Spartans' way as Dillon and Couraud put together a show. The duo combined for 41 kills in the match and led the way as Couraud also finished with three solo blocks on the day.

In what ended-up her final match as a Spartan, Mallory Dillon's historic career came to an end much the same way she had begun it. Dillon's 25-kill performance pushed Missouri Baptist forward in the match and was nearly enough to put her team over the hump.

As a team, the Spartans were outstanding at the net and out-blocked the Blue Raiders 12-8. Additionally, after the early hiccups, the Missouri Baptist defense locked-down an offense that looked unstoppable at times throughout 2016. In the final two sets, they held Lindsey Wilson to attack percentages of .176 and .178 respectively.

Overall, as the Spartan offense heated-up, it was led by some of the best serving the team has seen in 2016. Dillon and Catie Ward, in particular, put the Blue Raiders out of system consistently and allowed the Missouri Baptist offense a chance to take over.

In the end, however, it was Lindsey Wilson who came out on top. Led by crafty play at the net and a consistent tip offense, the Blue Raiders advanced to the quarterfinals.

Throughout the match, it was clear that the play of Grace Blomstedt was going to be a huge factor. Her 19 kills and .341 attack percentage came-up big for the team from Columbia, Ky..

Mackenzie Montano was equally impressive. The junior setter from Louisville, Ky., kept the Spartan defense off balance as she recorded 59 assists in four sets. Montano also completed her day with three kills, seven digs and three block assists.

Missouri Baptist's Dillon and Couraud also finished with double-digit dig totals and both recorded a double-double in the match.

For the third consecutive year, the Spartan season ends in the elimination round as the team has successfully exited pool play in each of the three seasons with Chris Nichols at the helm.