ST. LOUIS – Hosting its final home match of the year and the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Quarterfinals on Tuesday evening, the No. 2-ranked Missouri Baptist University women's volleyball team won with ease over St. Louis College of Pharmacy, the tournament's No. 7 seed. The Spartans defeated a vastly-improved Eutectic squad (16-14, 6-6 AMC) that recorded their best finish since 1994 by scores of 25-9, 25-15, 25-10.
In addition to extending its winning streak to 12 matches, Missouri Baptist successfully went undefeated at home in 2019 with an unblemished record of 14-0 at the Carl and Deloris Petty Sports & Recreation Complex. In 12 of 14 home matches this season, the Spartans defeated their opponents in straight sets.
Tuesday was no different for No. 2 seed and No. 2-ranked MBU, who swept the same Eutectic team five days ago on Senior Night. The opening frame certainly set the tone for the rest of the match. In a lopsided affair, Missouri Baptist held a 15-1 advantage in kills, 4-0 advantage in service aces and held the Eutectics to a -.211 hitting percentage.
The Spartans' middles were near perfect in the first set combining for 9 kills on 10 swings with
Caterina Cigarini hitting a perfect 4-for-4 (1.000). Outside hitter
Isidora Stojovic and opposite hitter
Giovanna Tapigliani also chipped in three kills apiece.
St. Louis College of Pharmacy climbed out of its funk in Set 2 and hung with the Spartans for the first half of the set. The visitors were well within reach up until a 6-1 MBU run that made it a 15-10 game. Stojovic helped the Spartans pull away with several clutch swings and coming off the bench to close out the set was freshman
Lisanne van Houwelingen, who recorded three service aces in five serve attempts.
No. 2 Missouri Baptist overwhelmed the Eutectics in the final frame beginning with an 8-1 run to start the set. During the fast start, the Spartans did it all with three blocks, a pair of kills and an
Ariana Macies service ace. MoBap went on a 10-0 run to get to match point and once again leading the way from the service line was the freshman from Netherlands,
Lisanne van Houwelingen. Van Houwelingen added two more service aces for a season- and career-high five.
Marina Sanches had five kills in the third set and finished the quarterfinal match second on the team with 11 kills on 15 swings (.667). Pacing the Spartans on Tuesday was junior
Isidora Stojovic, who was one off of a season high with 14 kills.
Libero
Ariana Macies averaged 5.66 digs per set against the Eutectics and pitched in 3 service aces, which was second on the team.
Other notable performances included
Caterina Cigarini who continues to push towards the top of the NAIA leaderboard in hitting percentage with 8 kills, .571 attack % and a team-high 5 blocks.
Raylyn Dodd had 4 blocks, while sophomore setter
Morgan Berry put up 28 assists and 2 service aces.
With all of the top seeds winning on Tuesday, the Spartans will head to Parkville, Mo. on Friday for the AMC Championship Semifinals to take on No. 3 seed Columbia College. Back on Oct. 24, the Spartans swept the No. 7-ranked Cougars at home by a score of 25-18, 25-22, 25-19. First serve for the Spartans' semifinal match is set for 6:30 p.m.
