ST. LOUIS – As opportunities to fine tune their game dwindle with postseason around the corner, the No. 3-ranked Missouri Baptist women's volleyball team grabbed a sweep at home over Stephens College in non-conference action on Wednesday. After surrendering a set to the Stars in conference play one week ago, the Spartans made sure that a repeat didn't occur holding the visitors to a -.009 hitting percentage on the afternoon.
MBU has now won 18 in a row, one of the longer active winning streaks in the NAIA. The Spartans improved their record to 22-2 while dealing the Stars (10-12) their second straight loss in as many outings.
MoBap set the tone in the opening frame out-killing Stephens 16-4, while also recording four team blocks. All six starters got in on the scoring action with
Giovanna Tapigliani and
Maria Hanusik combining for nine kills.
Following a 25-13 Set One win, the Spartans doubled down on the Stars with a strong presence at the net and passing to keep Stephens hitting in the negatives.
Maria Hanusik, who had four kills in the previous set, showcased her defensive prowess in Set Two with eight of the Spartans' 22 digs. Despite hitting under the season average, MBU took the second set, 25-11.
To close out the Stars, Missouri Baptist recorded their most efficient set of the match hitting .355. Pacing the Spartans in the final set was junior middle hitter
Carlee Wise with four kills on five swings (.800) along with a pair of block assists. Following up a season-high 15 service aces against Harris-Stowe State on Monday, the Spartans kicked it into second gear in the third set with five aces. Setter
Shannon McLain got things started with an ace for the first point of the set. Hanusik contributed one ace during a 5-0 run, followed up by three from defensive specialist
Nathiellen Machado in a separate 8-0 stretch.
The Spartans led Stephens in every category on Wednesday with a 40-18 advantage in kills, 7-2 advantage in service aces, 9-3 advantage in blocks and 64-43 advantage in digs.
Stat leaders for the Spartans included
Giovanna Tapigliani in kills (8),
Manuela Vargas in assists (18), Machado in aces (3),
Ariana Macies in digs (13), and
Raylyn Dodd in blocks (4).
No. 3 MBU will have a week-long hiatus before returning to the court to wrap up the AMC schedule in Arkansas. The Spartans visit Central Baptist (9-11, 3-1 AMC) on Friday, Nov. 5, and Lyon (11-13, 2-3 AMC) on Saturday, Nov. 6.
