SIOUX CITY, IA – The No. 2 ranked Spartans of Missouri Baptist University were back in action as they took on the No. 3 Chargers of Briar Cliff University for the second time this season. In this conference matchup, the Spartans gutted out a 3-1 win (25-16, 21-25, 28-26, 25-23). With the win, MBU moves to 14-1 overall and 6-0 in conference.
 
The Spartans were led by sophomore outside hitter Luka Cajic and junior outside hitter Steven Rodriguez, each finishing with 21 kills; Cajic added 10 digs, while Rodriguez picked up eight. Redshirt-freshman Jack Huizinga followed with 15 kills and seven digs, while senior setter Kyle Foley handed out 59 assists to go along with 13 digs. Junior libero Colton Inman had a solid performance for the team with 16 digs.
 
The Spartans got out to an early lead behind three kills and a service ace from Rodriguez. From there, both teams traded points until the Spartans pushed their lead to six points, 15-9, forcing a timeout from Briar Cliff. Out of the timeout, a big dig from Inman led to a kill from Hibbler, helping to push the Spartans even more. A block from Gabe Norsigian followed by kills from Cajic and Rodriguez gave the Spartans the first set win, 25-16.
 
Both teams traded points early on in the second set, and it continued throughout. With the score tied at 20 apiece, three consecutive errors from the Spartans gave the Chargers a late three point lead, forcing a timeout from MBU. Out of the timeout, two more kills from Briar Cliff caused the Spartans to drop the second set, 21-25.
 
The third set started much like the second, with both teams trading points until the Spartans pulled away with a lead. More kills from Cajic and Rodriguez continued to push the Spartan lead to 13-7. Huizinga got in on the action, adding two kills of his own to help MBU take a 16-12 lead, however, Briar Cliff began to fire back, closing the gap at 21-23. The Spartans struggled against the Briar Cliff defense, as the Chargers would tie the game at 24. A kill from Rodriguez gave the Spartans a set point opportunity, but it was followed by a service error, tying the score once again. Rodriguez put the Spartans ahead yet again, but the Chargers came right back with another kill to tie the score at 26 each. MBU looked to Cajic two times in a row, and he was able to produce back-to-back kills, giving the Spartans the third set win, 28-26.
 
MBU came out strong in the fourth set, ready to take the win. However, the Chargers were looking to push the match to a fifth set, as they also came out with adrenaline running high. BCU eventually took a two-point lead, forcing an MBU timoute. Out of the timeout, back-to-back points from the Chargers pushed their lead even further (12-8). Briar Cliff would continue to maintain a four-point lead, until kills from Huizinga, Cajic, and Rodriguez allowed the Spartan to tie things up (16-16). From there, both teams began to trade points, until errors plagued the Spartans, once again, causing them to fall behind. MBU's defense came alive, as they fought to tie things back up at 20 apiece. Trading points until 23-23, an error from Briar Cliff followed by a kill by Huizinga closed out the fourth set win for the Spartans, 25-23.
 
The Spartans are back in action Saturday, March 3. They will take on conference opponent Morningside College. Game time is set for 10 am.