ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] It wasn't easy, but Missouri Baptist held off No. 6 Lourdes University Monday night. The Spartans swept the Gray Wolves 3-0, in a match closer than the final score indicated.
The Spartans (15-2) won each set by two points to win their 10th in a row. They defeated the Gray Wolves (25-23, 31-29, 26-24) and finished with an attack percentage of .219. Lourdes hit .152 for the game.
A kill from Mico Janicijevic put the Spartans ahead 24-19, their largest lead of the set. Janicijevic once again led MBU with 17 kills on 49 swings. MBU broke away in set one late, but Lourdes had one final push. They rattled off four straight points to put MBU to the brink. However, Janicijevic answered with a kill to help the Spartans escape 25-23.
MBU led 18-13 in set two before the Gray Wolves made a run. Back-to-back attack errors caused John Yehling to call timeout with the score tied at 19-19. MBU held the first set point at 25-24, but couldn't get back-to-back points. That is, until after a kill from Kyle Foley to put MBU ahead 30-29. Cam Hibbler came through with the final kill to finally end the set 31-29. The Spartans were on the brink once in set two, trailing 27-26, but Janicijevic made a set-saving kill to tie the game.
Missouri Baptist was forced to play catch-up in the final set. They trailed 7-2 before Coach Yehling called an early timeout. MBU trailed by as many as six and didn't tie the game until an attack error by Lourdes made it 22-22. However, a kill from Zachary Hawkins put the Spartans on the brink again, 24-23. A kill from Janicijevic evened the score, a Foley kill put MBU ahead by one and a double-contact call gave the Spartans the come-from-behind win 26-24.
Luke Cajic posted nine kills in the match and Daniel Prada followed with eight. Cam Hibbler had another efficient night with five kills on nine swings. He also led MBU with seven digs. Foley finished his night with 42 assists and six digs.
The Spartans continue their busy week tomorrow night at Lindenwood-Belleville. The match begins at 7:00 pm. MBU is back at home Thursday against Morningside.
