ST. LOUIS—The No. 1 ranked Spartans traveled to Parkville, Mo. to go head to head with the (5) Pirates of Park University. After dropping sets two and three, MBU rallied back to take the match in five thrilling sets. With this win, Missouri Baptist remains perfect (19-0, 7-0), while Park falls to a record of 10-3 (4-3).

Set number one was a slow start, as errors on either side kept the score close. Park eventually led by three (12-9) when Coach Tom Young called for MBU's first timeout. After the break, the Spartans eventually settled in, bringing themselves within one (18-19), when Park utilized their first timeout. Three consecutive kills from the Spartans pushed their lead even further (22-21), forcing the Pirates to take another break. Kills from Cameron Hibbler and Steven Rodriguez would put MBU at game-point, before a Pirate error granted the Spartans set one, 25-22.

The second set mirrored the one before, as the teams went point for point in the early going. Tied at 9-9, the Pirates gained two on MBU (11-9), which proved to be enough to stay just a step ahead. Each side dished out kills back and forth late in the set, but Park would maintain the lead, taking set two, 25-22.

The Pirates carried over their momentum from set two into the third, jumping out to a quick lead (7-4) over the Spartans. Missouri Baptist battled back, but three consecutive Pirate kills shut down the Spartans chances. The Spartans faced their first 2-1 deficit of 2019 heading into the fourth set (25-18).

Missouri Baptist recuperated in an impressive fashion, quickly rolling out to a six-point lead (7-1) in the fourth set. The Spartan front line dished out five more kills than Park, which proved to be the difference as MBU claimed set four, 25-20, pushing them to their second five-set match of the season.

The fifth set was another game of back and forth, as the teams found themselves tied 12 separate times. The score was 13-12 when a kill from outside hitter Luka Cajic put MBU at match-point (14-12). The Pirates answered back with a kill, granting them their last chance at a comeback (14-13). MBU's Miljan Kastratovic halted Park's chances, however, dishing out the match-winning kill. The Spartans slid past the Pirates by two (15-13) to maintain their perfect record.

Four Spartans finished with double-digits in the kills' category, with Miljan Kastratovic leading the way (18). The opposite hitter also put up 11 digs. Steven Rodriguez ended up just behind the freshman, earning 17 total kills, while Luka Cajic and Cameron Hibbler clocked out at 15 and 12, respectively.

Junior Jason Harman set a new personal career-high, serving up 55 total assists. The setter also earned 11 total digs.

The undefeated Spartans are back in action on Friday, March 8. They return to the Petty SRC to take on Morningside (Iowa) at 3 p.m., followed by Dordt (Iowa) at 7 p.m.