PARKVILLE, Mo.—The No. 1 ranked Missouri Baptist University Spartans faced off against the No. 7 Pirates of Park University for the second time this season. After sweeping the Pirates in the first matchup, Park came ready for a win. After a hard fought battle, MBU came out on top in five sets (16-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-19, 15-9). With the win, the Spartans improve to 19-1 overall, and 11-0 in conference play.

The Spartans were led by sophomore outside hitter Luka Cajic with 23 kills and seven digs, while junior outside hitter Steven Rodriguez followed with 17 kills and nine digs. Cameron Hibbler and Drew Iliff got in on the action with five kills each, as well.

Kyle Foley finished with a double-double with 46 assists, 11 digs, and two service aces. Junior libero Colton Inman picked up 21 digs.

The Spartans got out to an early 6-4 lead in the first set with kills from Rodriguez and Gabe Norsigian. After burning an early timeout, the Pirates struggled offensively, committing multiple attack errors to help push the Spartan lead further. Tough serving from the Pirates caused problems for the Spartans as they would allow the Pirates to tie the score 11-11, forcing a timeout from Coach John Yehling. Out of the timeout, the Spartans continued to struggle defensively and fell behind 11-14. Continuing their scoring run, the Pirates used a strong offense to take a 19-13 lead. MBU continued to fall behind, and a Spartan attack error gave Park the first set win, 25-16.

Both teams traded points early on in the second set, with the Spartans taking a four-point lead. Park took another early timeout to try and slow down the Spartans momentum, but it would not be enough as a block from Hibbler and Rodriguez continued to push the Spartan lead. Tough blocking from MBU caused problems for the Pirates as they would continue to struggle offensively, continuing to push the Spartans ahead (18-11). The Spartans offense continued to roll, helping them earn set point. Three quick points from the Pirates forced a timeout from the Spartans, but a service error from Park gave MBU the second set, 25-19.

The Pirates jumped out to a quick lead in the third set, forcing a timeout from MBU. From the timeout, the Spartans made an effort to gain some momentum and brought themselves within three (9-12) before a timeout from the Pirates cut them short. Offensive struggles from MBU helped Park push their lead, causing the Spartans to burn their second timeout of the set. Unable to find an answer to the strong offense from the Pirates, MBU continued to fall behind and found themselves down 17-23. With Inman serving, the Spartans scored five in a row, including two service aces from Inman, to bring themselves within one (22-23). However, it was to no avail, as a service error from MBU followed by a kill from Park closed out the second set win for the Pirates, 22-25.

Park took another early lead in the fourth set, but the Spartans battled back, quickly getting ahead, and forcing a timeout from the Pirates. In a back-and-forth battle, the Spartans kept the lead, causing the Pirates to take their second timeout of the set. Kills from Cajic and Rodriguez pushed the Spartans ahead 23-18. After a service error from Park, a kill from Hibbler gave the Spartans the fourth set win, 25-19.

In the fifth, decisive set the Spartans started off with an ace from Foley that was immediately followed by a timeout from the Pirates. Two points in-a-row from Park were followed by an attack error, putting the Spartans back in the lead. After the Pirates second timeout, the Spartans used tough blocking to push their lead further (7-3). Powerhouses Cajic and Rodriguez set up match-point for the Spartans with a couple more kills, before an attack error from Park sealed the MoBap win, 15-9.

Men's Volleyball is back at the Petty SRC on Saturday, March 31. They'll take on the Dordt Defenders at 11 am.