OTTAWA—The No. 2 Spartans overcame a 1-2 deficit to defeat the No. 5 Ottawa University Braves in five sets (25-20, 18-25, 20-25, 25-14, 15-9). With the win, the Spartans move to 9-1 and 2-0 in conference play.
 
Junior outside hitter Steven Rodriguez paced the Spartans with 24 kills, five digs, and two blocks. Sophomore outside hitter Luka Cajic followed with 15 kills and eight digs, while redshirt-freshman Jack Huizinga finished with 11 kills and nine digs.
 
Junior middle blocker Cameron Hibbler also played well, collecting eight kills on a .467 hitting percentage, combined with five blocks. Senior setter Kyle Foley ran an effective offense for the Spartans, handing out 55 assists. In a solid defensive performance, libero Colton Inman had a season-high 17 digs.
 
Both teams traded points early on in the first set until a service ace from Rodriguez pushed the Spartans ahead. From there, the Spartans led for the remainder of the set. A kill from Rodriguez, along with a block from Cajic and Hibbler gave the Spartans the first set win, 25-20.
 
The second set began just like the first. With the Spartans down by one, the Braves used a four-point scoring run to open a 14-9 lead. The Spartans fought back with Hibbler leading a four-point service run to tie it up at 15. However, the Braves proved to be too much for the Spartans as they would continue to push back. Capitalizing off of Spartan errors, the Braves took the second set, 25-18.
 
The Spartans were unable to find rhythm in the third set after quickly falling behind. The Spartans attempted to mount a comeback late in the set, but errors plagued their chance. A four-point service run from Cajic was not enough, as the Braves took set three, 25-20.
 
Facing a 1-2 deficit, the Spartans knew they needed to perform well in the fourth set. Kills from both Cajic and Rodriguez continued to push the Spartans ahead. With a 20-14 lead, Huizinga stepped back to the service line and served five consecutive points to bring the Spartans even with a 25-14 fourth set win.
 
In the decisive fifth set, the Braves jumped out to a quick lead before more tough serving from Huizinga pushed the Spartans ahead, 4-2. MBU used kills from Hibbler and Foley to force a timeout by the Braves. A Foley service ace combined with three kills from Rodriguez set up match point for the Spartans, as they lead by five points. With the Braves serving, Foley and Hibbler sealed the deal for the Spartans with a massive block to take the fifth and final set, 15-9.
 
The Spartans tough serving proved too much for the Braves to handle as the team would finish with eight service aces. MBU also put up a great defensive effort with 50 team digs and 10 total team blocks.
Rodriguez commented on the Spartans ability to fight back after falling behind, "I thought we played well the first set but we struggled some in sets two and three. In sets four and five, we came out and fought hard and we were able to come together and play well for the rest of the match."
 
The Spartans are back in action Friday, February 9. They will host No. 3 Briar Cliff University in a conference matchup at 2 pm.