ST. LOUIS—No. 1 seeded Missouri Baptist University faced off with the No. 2 seeded Pirates of Park University (Mo.) in Saturday's American Midwest/Great Plains/Kansas Collegiate Unaffiliated Conference Championship match. After an intense first set, the Spartans cruised through sets two and three to sweep the Pirates and claim the conference title.

Outside hitter Steven Rodriguez led the match with 16 total kills on an impressive .696 attack percentage. Luka Cajic finished up just behind with a total of 12 (.417 attack percentage).

Setter Jason Harman handed out 38 assists, while freshman Miljan Kastratovic led the defensive effort, tying his career-high for digs with 11 total.

As most expected, the top two teams exchanged points back and forth to start set one. The Spartans were down 5-6 when kills from Cameron Hibbler and Luka Cajic put the Spartans back on top (7-6). An error from Park followed by a service ace from Steven Rodriguez would continue to push their lead (9-6). From that point, MBU managed to stay a step ahead of the Pirates. At set point (24-20), a Spartan service error would give Park a last minute chance. They brought themselves within two (24-22) when Coach Tom Young called for a timeout. Out of the break, a Pirate error would cost them the set, giving MBU the first, 25-22.

The Spartans gained visible momentum heading into set two, jumping out to a five-point lead (11-6), prompting a Park timeout. The Pirates began to fall flat, as errors allowed the Spartans to continue to gain a comfortable lead. Missouri Baptist would roll through the remainder of the set, taking the win by 10 (25-15).

The Pirates regrouped for the third set, as the teams went point for point throughout. The score was even at 13 apiece when a kill from Steven Rodriguez followed by a service ace and kill from Miljan Kastratovic put them ahead by three (16-13). The teams battled it out, but the Spartans continued to dominate all around. A kill from sophomore Gabe Norsigian would eventually seal the deal, giving the Spartans their 28^th consecutive win (25-20).

Taking 1^st place in the regular season and Conference Championship gives the Spartans an automatic bid to the inaugural NAIA Men's Volleyball National Championship tournament. Tune in to the Play NAIA Facebook page on Sunday, April 7 at 3 p.m. (CST) to catch the official Championship Qualifier Reveal, and see who the Spartans will be going up against.