DES MOINES, Iowa—Missouri Baptist ended pool play at the NAIA National Invitational with a matchup against the Chargers of Briar Cliff University. Hoping to remain undefeated against the Chargers this season, the Spartans gained another sweep (25-19, 25-15, 25-18). With the win, MBU improves to 25-1 overall and 3-0 at the National Invitational.
 
Luka Cajic led the Spartans with 16 kills, nine digs, and three service aces. Opposite hitter Jack Huizinga outside hitter Steven Rodriguez each finished with 10 kills. Middle blocker Cameron Hibbler continued to impress, hitting .593 percent with eight kills. Kyle Foley finished with 40 assists and eight digs, while Colton Inman had six digs, along with two service aces.
 
The Spartans got out to an early lead before a service ace from Inman forced a timeout from Briar Cliff. Out of the timeout, MBU continued to roll with kills coming from Cajic and Rodriguez. Hibbler and fellow middle blocker Gabe Norsigian were a force to be reckoned with at the net, as they consistently blocked well, putting MBU up, 20-14. However, two Spartan errors combined with a kill from the Chargers closed the MBU lead to 23-18. MBU scored their last two points of the set with kills coming from Rodriguez and Huizinga, winning the first set 25-19.
 
Tough serving from Huizinga got the Spartans out to a quick four-point lead in the second set. Following a service ace from Huizinga, a kill from the Chargers halted the Spartans scoring run. With Briar Cliff within reach, a kill from Hibbler put MBU back ahead by two. With Inman on the service line, the Spartans rattled off four points in a row, increasing their lead by six, causing Briar Cliff to take their first timeout of the set. Out of the timeout, three straight points from the Chargers closed the gap yet again (11-14). Kills from the front line propelled the Spartans to a 21-14 lead. BCU errors eventually put MBU at set point, once again. Another kill from Rodriguez closed out the second set, 25-15.
 
Both teams traded points early on in set three until a kill from Huizinga and a service ace from Cajic put the Spartans ahead by three.  Tough  offense continued to push the Spartans lead, with kills from all around. More tough serving from Huizinga proved to be too much for the Chargers, as the Spartan lead continued to grow, 15-8. Briar Cliff attempted a comeback, scoring five quick points and closing the deficit, 16-21. However, the Spartans proved too much for the Chargers, as Drew Iliff sealed the deal with MBU's 47^th kill of the match, allowing the Spartans to claim the sweep, 25-18.
 
With three wins, the Spartans finish pool play in first place. They will take the No. 2 team from Pool B on Friday, April 20.