ST. LOUIS- [BOX SCORE LU] [BOX SCORE USF] Missouri Baptist Women's Volleyball wrapped up play in the Hampton Inn Invitational in Columbia, Mo. on Saturday. The day started with a 9 am match against Lourdes University and concluded with an afternoon affair with St. Francis (Indiana). 

The Spartans got a quick start in the opening match against the Gray Wolves from Lourdes University. The lead bounced back and forth but a determined MBU squad nailed down the set 27-25.

Lourdes found their footing in the second set and the Spartans were beaten from the get-go. The Gray Wolves evened the match with a convincing 25-15 win.

Set three was another slugfest as the score was tied a whopping 22 times. Lourdes took control late, however, and captured the frame 28-26.

The Gray Wolves used the clear shift in momentum as a boost to finish off the Spartans in the fourth set. MBU's last lead came at 5-4 before Lourdes pulled away with points on five consecutive serve. Lourdes won the match in four sets (27-25, 15-25, 26-28, 19-25).

Mallory Dillon led Missouri Baptist with 21 kills on 61 attempts. Cate Cigarini (14), Tina Medanovic (12), and Marion Couraud (10) all made significant kill contributions.

The Spartans showed plenty of resolve in the second match against St. Francis. They outclassed the Cougars from start to claim a straight set victory (25-20, 25-19, 25-20).

Head Coach Chris Nichols made some significant lineup changes and the result would suggest the moves paid off. Darby Santos and Marija Tosic stepped into the lineup and provided a needed spark.

Santos was instrumental at the setter position, doling out a season-high 36 assists. Mallory Dillon was efficient on the outside, racking up 16 kills in just 31 attacks.

Mallory Dillon and Tina Medanovic were awarded All-Classic Team Honors. Dillon registered 73 kills in four games, second most behind Park's Wendy Romero. The senior is currently ranked number one in the nation in total kills (204). Medanovic finished the tournament with a hitting percentage of .333, good for fourth overall. The junior made just 13 errors on 81 total attacks, while also contributing 40 kills. 

The Spartans improved to 9-4 on the season. They'll be back in action next Friday, September 9, with two matches in Quincy, Ill. MBU will battle Maryville at 1 pm and Quincy University at 6 pm. 

Missouri Baptist will return home on September 23 as they kick off their AMC conference schedule against Lyon.