ST. LOUIS [BOX SCORE MMU] [BOX SCORE COTO] - The No. 2 ranked Missouri Baptist Women's Volleyball kicked off their 2016 season in style on Saturday with a four-set victory against Mount Mercy University (25-17, 23-25, 26-24, 25-14) and a three-set sweep against College of the Ozarks (25-14, 25-17,25-14). 

In game one of the day, sophomore Marija Tosic got things started in the first set with points on four consecutive serves, including one ace, to put MBU up 4-0. The teams went back and forth before Missouri Baptist pulled away late to take set one. Tosic was involved once again, sealing the set with another ace.

Set number two was another tight affair but Mount Mercy nipped the Spartans 25-23 to even the match at one set apiece.

It was the third set where Missouri Baptist proved why they are ranked No. 2 in the nation. After falling behind 14-6, the Spartans stormed back to claim the set 26-24. Mallory Dillon came alive with seven kills to lead MBU.

In the fourth and final set, Missouri Baptist put on a clinic. They raced out of the box to an 11-3 lead and never looked back. The Spartans locked up the match with a resounding 25-14 victory.

It was a balanced attack for Missouri Baptist as four Spartans finished with double-digit kills, led by 14 from Mallory Dillon. Freshman Caterina Cigarini and juniors Marion Couraud and Tina Medanovic all contributed 11 kills. Megan Huffman was impressive at the setter position, finishing with a whopping 46 assists.

Game two brought more of the same for the Spartans. In dominant fashion, Missouri Baptist dispatched College of the Ozarks in straight sets.

Each of the first two sets started similarly, as the Lady Bobcats hung with MBU for long stretches. However, the depth and power of the Spartans proved too much as Missouri Baptist pulled away for lopsided victories.

The Spartan ladies put on a show in the third set, jumping out to a 7-1 lead and cruising to an 11 point victory. Kamden Maas was on the serve for the final five points, all kills by Cate Cigarini and Mallory Dillon.

Dillon was once again a force to be reckoned with, collecting a total of 23 kills and 19 digs to lead the Spartans in game two. Tina Medanovic also had her second consecutive double-digit kill effort.

Megan Huffman continued to relish her role as the distributor, doling out 41 assists.

The Spartan ladies will now prepare for a trip to Florida beginning next Thursday, August 25. MBU will play a total of five games in the Sunshine state. After matches against Florida National and Johnson and Wales, they'll compete in the St. Thomas University Invitational from Friday through Sunday in Miami.