ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist needed all five sets to do so, but the No. 4 ranked Spartans left the Grand View Invitational with two wins. MBU bounced back from a 2-1 deficit to defeat No. 2 Warner (20-25, 25-22, 17-25, 25-22, 15-12) Saturday afternoon. 

The match marked just the second time all season that the Spartans had gone to five sets. They defeated No. 7 Lourdes in five yesterday before falling 3-1 to No. 1 Grand View.

After dropping the first set, MBU used a late run to take set two. With the score tied at 21-21, MBU rattled off three straight points. Mico Janicijevic came through with a huge kill that was followed by an attack error from Warner. Don Flemming and Kyle Foley then teamed up for a block for point number 24. The set was won on an attack error from the Royals.

The Spartans hit a match-low .121 in the third set and dropped it 25-17. Warner won six of the final seven points in the set. To work its way back, MBU followed that performance with a match-best .286 hitting percentage in set four.

A kill from Janicijevic put MBU ahead 22-17 but the Royals didn't back down. They battled back to draw within 22-21 after four straight points. Ivan Trifunovic came up clutch to make it a 23-21 game and the Spartans eventually forced the fifth set.

MBU started slow in the deciding set, trailing 7-5 nearly halfway through. Then Trifunovic started a string of four straight points with a kill. The run put MBU ahead 9-7 and they wouldn't trail again. Flemming ended the match with a kill to give MBU the upset.

Janicijevic finished with a team-high 21 kills. Trifunovic followed with 13 and Flemming had an efficient day with seven on 10 swings. Foley, who was named to the All-Tournament team, finished with 48 assists. Robert Hall led the defense with 19 digs.

The Spartans (6-2) return home on Tuesday to take on Lindenwood-Belleville. The match is set for 7:00 pm.