ST. LOUIS – [SHC BOX] [PC BOX] Missouri Baptist posted a win at No. 1 against NCAA Division II Spring Hill (Ala.) before nabbing a 4-1 win over Principia (Ill.) in the second match of the day on Friday at the Fiesta on Siesta National Small School Championship in Siesta Key, Fla.
Missouri Baptist (7-6) ran into a very talented team in former NAIA member Spring Hill College in the first match of the weekend on Friday. Though Nos. 2-5 dropped their matches, No. 1 team of Jen Brendel and Hannah Carey took care of business. The duo defeated Julie Vujnovich and Madison Seuzeneau 21-16, 21-16.
Against Principia, a team that Missouri Baptist is very familiar with, the Spartans came away with another 4-1 win. The Spartans are 4-0 on the year against the Panthers and have won each by a 4-1 score.
The team of Carey and Brendel won in a decisive 21-8 and 21-11 match against Emelie Fredrikson and Nikki Matters.
The matchup of the day went to Cate Cigarini and Kamden Maas in a nail-biting, three set loss to Sophia Hathaway and Noelle Shoemake. The duo won 21-16, but came-up just short in set two, 25-23, which sent the game to a tiebreak set. The Spartans dropped that decisive set 15-7.
Sarah Bolton and Marija Tosic grabbed a straight set win at No. 3 21-17, 21-17 to take a 2-1 lead before the final two matches decided the competition.
After dropping set one, Kelly Wilson and Kelly Hughes came back to take 21-18 and 15-9 wins in the final two sets to take the point at No. 4 and give the Spartans the win.
Amanda Thibodeaux and Natalie Hecht also posted a thrilling win after going down a set. The team lost the first set 21-14, but came roaring back. They defeated Amanda Roberts and Emily Tippetts 21-15 in set two before securing the win with a 15-8 set three victory.
