LITTLE ROCK – [BOX SCORE] After starting the season undefeated in Miami, Missouri Baptist hit its first snag of the 2017 season. After rolling in the first five matches, the Spartans dropped two quick sets to Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) on the way to a 3-2 loss (21-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-12, 12-15) at the hands of the Tigers.

Missouri Baptist (5-1) struggled out of the gate with consistency in the attack. The Spartans hit just .150 as a team in the first set in a 25-21 loss. The trend continued in the second set before Coach Chris Nichols rallied the team.

The Spartans got back on track in the third set with a 25-22 win. This set seemed to put the team back in the driver's seat as the squad hit .341 in the fourth to take a dominant 25-12 win to force a tiebreak set.

The team, however, was unable to carry the momentum into the fifth set, however. Olivet Nazarene busted-out to a 6-0 lead, which led them to a 15-12 win.

While the offense struggled through much of the match, the Spartans were able to hold the Tiger offense down as well. Missouri Baptist held the team from Bourbonnais, Ill., to a .155 attack percentage as a team on the day.

The Spartans were led by Marion Couraud once again. The senior posted 18 kills in the getaway game to go along with her two block assists.

Cate Cigarini recorded 17 kills while Kristina Medanovic led the team with six block assists.

Southeast Missouri State transfer Rachel Poole dished 46 assists and recorded 18 digs to lead all Spartans.

MaryGrace Masters and Rachel Luebbers also combined for 34 digs on the day.

Missouri Baptist will be back in action next Friday as they descend on Columbia, Mo., for the annual Hampton Inn Classic.