ST. LOUIS—The Spartans hosted NCAA Division II Quincy University on Wednesday evening. After four sets of back and forth, Missouri Baptist slid past the Hawks, claiming their fourth consecutive victory.

The first set of the match began with two  quick service  aces from senior Luka Cajic. However, the Hawks answered back, evening things out at three points apiece. The Spartans led by four (12-8) when QU utilized their first timeout. Out of the timeout, Hawk errors allowed the Spartans to push their lead even further (15-8). Quincy stayed on MBU's tail, but it was to no avail, as the Spartans would take set one, 25-16.

Set two followed suit, as Missouri Baptist and Quincy went point for point early on. With the Spartans leading by two, a service ace from Jack Huizinga prompted the Hawks' second timeout of the match. The break played to their advantage this time around, as they immediately regained possession. The teams continued the game of back and forth, with MBU staying just ahead of Quincy. Kills from QU, plus a couple of Spartan errors eventually put the Hawks within one (22-21), forcing Missouri Baptist to take their first timeout of the match. The strategic timeout worked out for MBU, forcing a service error from the Hawks. The Spartans would go on to take set two, 25-21.

Set three mirrored those before it, this time with the Hawks on top. Their front line began to dish out several kills, while errors plagued MBU throughout. The Spartans stayed right on their tail, but could not complete the sweep, as the Hawks pushed the match to a fourth set (25-22).

The fourth set stayed on trend, as the teams went back and forth, once again. Tied at 5-5, a service error from QU would give the Spartans the lead for the last time. A kill and service ace from Cajic combined with several Hawk errors allowed MBU to cruise to a four-set win.

Luka Cajic led the Spartans in the kills category, finishing with a total of 12 (.423 attack percentage). Steven Rodriguez followed right behind, clocking out at 11 total. The senior outside hitter also had an impressive defensive performance, leading the match in blocks with a total of five (three solo ).

The Spartans end their time at home until February on Thursday afternoon. They will face the Mount Mercy (Iowa) Mustangs at 5 p.m.