ST. LOUIS, Mo. – After rallying back from an 0-2 deficit, the Spartans eventually fell at the hands of the Campbellsville University Tigers on Thursday evening. This is the first time Missouri Baptist men's volleyball has lost a home opener since 2011.
 
The Tigers walked into the Petty SRC looking the number two team in the nation. Unfortunately for the home crowd, the Spartans got off to a slow start losing the first two sets by the same score of 21-25.
 
The two teams exchanged blows in the third set, but a couple of short runs had the Spartans out to a 20-17 lead late. Campbellsville tacked on two more before a three-point run by MBU that put pushed the lead to 23-19.
 
Ramon Matos pushed the Tigers on with a kill before a Spartan attack error. The home team smothered any ideas of a late set comeback after a Campbellsville attack error and a clutch service ace by junior Jack Huizinga.
 
The Spartans maintained relative control in the fourth set, never trailing after Gabe Norsigian's kill on the first play. Their control on the set began to slip a little after another late set comeback bid drew the score even at 21-21.
 
The Spartans took the next two points for some breathing room followed by alternating points. Up 24-23, Jason Harman set up the 2019 Conference Player of the Year, Luka Cajic, for a set-ending kill to push the game to a fifth frame.
 
In the fifth, the teams continued the back and forth affair. MBU took the first two points of the set that preceded a four-point run from Campbellsville. They continued to exchange points nearly every other serve until the score was deadlocked at 17-17.
 
Jason Camacho broke the tie with a kill followed by another Tiger service error. Camacho again stepped up for his team to break the tie. The game ended heartbreakingly as the Spartans surrendered the 20th and final point on an attack error.
 
This is the first time the Spartans have fallen at home under head coach Tom Young's watch. The last home loss for the program was on April 21, 2017, against conference rival Park University.
 
Several Spartans had impressive outings on Thursday. Drew Iliff hit .667 collecting eight kills and four blocks. Cajic was his normal self, collecting 17 kills, seven service aces, and nine digs. Lastly, senior setter Jason Harman collected 42 assists and four digs.
 
The Spartans have a quick turnaround and hit the road for a matchup against Quincy University at the River Crossing Classic hosted by Quincy University and Culver-Stockton College. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m., weather permitting.