ST. LOUIS – After dropping a five-setter in its season opener, the No. 8-ranked Missouri Baptist University women's volleyball program has rattled off four straight victories including a pair of sweeps on Wednesday against Baker University. Back in the familiar confines of the Carl and Deloris Petty Sports & Recreation Complex for the first time this season, MBU rolled to a 25-17, 25-16, 25-14 win over the Wildcats in Match 1, followed by a 25-15, 25-15, 25-11 straight-set victory in the second meeting.
 
The Spartans picked up where they left off last night with strong and consistent passing, serving, hitting and blocking. Defensively, MoBap held the visitors from Baldwin City, Kan., to attack clips of .061 and .000, yielded just three service aces and totaled 14 blocks between the two matches.
 
Offensively, MBU accumulated 16 service aces, saw its setters distribute the ball to eight different players on the night and for the second and third time in a row, the Spartans hit above .400.
 
In the 4 p.m. contest, the group of Giovanna Tapigliani, Emma Lattimore, Liz van Houwelingen, Isidora Stojovic and Raylyn Dodd paced the Spartans combining for 38 of the team's 45 kills. One of the more impressive stat lines belonged to van Houwelingen, who played in just one set (3^rd) and 10 points in the form of 8 kills and 2 service aces.
 
Playing just the first match, senior setter Manuela Vargas posted an impressive 42 assists (14.0 a/s), 5 digs and 2 aces, while libero Ariana Macies registered 14 digs (4.6 d/s).
 
In terms of consistency, the Spartans nearly replicated their hitting percentage from Match 1 improving the mark by .01 from .420 to .421. Running the offense for MBU in Match 2 was the combination of setters Shannon McLain and Abby Braswell. McLain, a freshman out of Lafayette High School, played the first two sets and recorded career highs in assists (26) and service aces (3). Sophomore Abby Braswell closed out the match for MBU registering 7 assists and tying McLain for a match-best 3 service aces.
 
Another Spartan with a new career high was middle blocker Carlee Wise. At the net, the Breese, Ill. sophomore notched a career-best 6 blocks to go along with 5 kills. Meanwhile, for the second match in a row, opposite hitter Giovanna Tapigliani led the team in kills with 10 in two sets of action.
 
The Spartans experience another quick turnaround as they trek to Walnut Ridge, Ark. tomorrow morning for their first AMC match of the season at Williams Baptist University. First serve is set for 2:30 p.m.