ST. LOUIS [BOX SCORE] – The Missouri Baptist men's volleyball team ended a storied rivalry match against Park University (Mo.) with a 3-1 (26-28, 25-19, 25-22, 25-20) victory in the Breckon Sports Center on Wednesday. 

The Spartans were off to a slow start in set one as the team held a low profile and recorded its lowest hitting percentage of the match at 0.200. Eventhough MBU made an advance and tied the score at 24, the Pirates were able to notch the first set win 28-26.

Missouri Baptist began to pick up speed in set two as the Spartans held the Pirates to their lowest hitting percentage of 0.154 and MBU tied the match at on set apiece.

The Spartans continued to increase their hitting percentage (0.444) as the match resumed, but the Pirates battled back as they posted 12 kills to the Spartans 15.

Park began to lose steam is set four as Missouri Baptist created an early lead that the team held to close out the match with a 25-22 set four win.

Mico Janicijevic recorded a new season-high 24 kills in the match. Race Munger followed Janicijevic with a career-high of 15 kills.

Kyle Foley recorded a new season-high of 56 assists for an outstanding average of 14 assists per set.

Stands fill to capacity and both teams bring their A game as these teams share a rich history that has created a budding rivalry in which the Pirates lead the way 20-10. The Spartans are chipping away at the deficit and currently hold a three game win streak against Park.  

MBU remains undefeated in conference as the Pirates were dealt their first conference loss of the 2016 season.

Missouri Baptist will remain on the road through the end of the week as the team will face Greenville College (Ill.) and Rust College (Miss.) in a tri-match on Saturday, February 27, at Greenville College.