DES MOINES, Iowa—The Missouri Baptist Spartans faced Aquinas College (Mich.) at the NAIA National Championship Semifinals in Des Moines. After four sets of back and forth, MBU ultimately fell in four sets. They finished the 2019 season with a record of 31-1.

The Saints jumped out to a quick lead in set one before a kill from Gabe Norsigian put the Spartans on the board (1-4). From there, the teams traded points back and forth. The score was even at 24 apiece when Coach Tom Young called for a timeout. Out of the break, two errors would cost the Spartans set one, 24-26.

Set two mirrored the first, as the teams continued to go point for point. However, the Spartans stayed just steps head this time around. They led 24-23 when MBU utilized another timeout. Steven Rodriguez would put down a kill to give the Spartans set two, 25-23.

The third and fourth sets followed suit, as the teams continued to battle it out. In the end, mistakes would catch up with the Spartans, allowing Aquinas to stay on top. The Saints would go on to take sets three and four (21-25 and 29-31), ending MBU's undefeated season.