TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The No. 1-ranked Missouri Baptist University women's volleyball team remains perfect (6-0) in true road matches this year following its ninth sweep of 2019. The Spartans trekked three hours to Terre Haute, Indiana on Monday and took down St. Mary-of-the-Woods – a member of the USCAA – by scores of 25-20, 25-19, 26-24.
 
Early in the contest, the Spartans overwhelmed the Pomeroys with their potent offense and front-row height. MBU amassed more than half of its nine blocks on the night in the first set (5.0) in large part due to middle blockers Caterina Cigarini and Raylyn Dodd. Dodd registered one solo block and two block assists while AMC Attacker of the Week Caterina Cigarini logged one of each. In addition to the blocks, Cigarini had a team-high 5 kills to lead the Spartans to a .250 hitting percentage in the 25-20 opening-set win.
 
MoBap had its best set offensively on paper in the second, hitting .281 and registering 16 kills on 32 swings. It was a collective effort from Cigarini, Dodd, freshman outside hitter Lisanne van Houwelingen, opposite hitter Giovanna Tapigliani and outside hitter Isidora Stojovic, who all had at least three kills in the set. MBU went up two sets to none following a 25-19 win in the second frame.
 
Despite the Spartans registering 15 more kills in the third set, they also had 10 attack errors, which led to St. Mary-of-the-Woods hanging around longer than expected. There were seven different lead changes in the final set and the Pomeroys had Missouri Baptist on the ropes following a late five-point run. SMWC jumped ahead 24-22 with set point twice, however, two Spartan seniors helped the team rally when it mattered most with a key service ace by Natalie Hecht and kill by senior Megan Williams paired with two Pomeroy attack errors.
 
Junior Isidora Stojovic led all players with 12 kills and Cigarini was near perfect with nine kills on 10 swings (.800). Other notable offensive performances included van Houwelingen (6 kills, 3 blocks) and Dodd (6 kills, 6 blocks). Setters Morgan Berry and Nicole Bott combined for 33 of the Spartans' 44 assists, while Ariana Macies led all players with 17 digs.
 
Missouri Baptist returns to American Midwest Conference action on Friday and Saturday as it welcomes Williams Baptist University and Freed-Hardeman University to the Carl and Deloris Petty Sports & Recreation Complex.