ST. LOUIS – Celebrating Homecoming Week on Saturday, the fourth-ranked Missouri Baptist women's volleyball team coasted to an effortless 25-8, 25-9, 25-13 win over Williams Baptist. The Spartans took care of business in swift fashion, completing the American Midwest Conference sweep in less than an hour.
 
Out of the gate, MBU's star-studded cast of All-Americans and All-AMC First Teamers gave the Eagles more than they bargained for. Outside hitter Isidora Stojovic posted a team-high five kills in the opening set, and was joined by Emma Lattimore, Raylyn Dodd and Givoanna Tapigliani with four kills each. The quartet combined to hit .577 while overwhelming the visitors on defense as well. Williams Baptist managed just three kills in the first set for an abysmal -.136 hitting percentage.
 
The ambush continued in Set Two as MoBap once again hit .500 with 13 kills and just one attack error. Unfortunately for Eagles, they hit in the negatives for a second straight set and couldn't make any headway against the defending national champions. Rubbing salt into the wound, the Spartans added to their arsenal in the second set with strong serving. Both Abby Braswell and Manuela Vargas made runs at the service line with Braswell recording three service aces in the set, while Vargas added one more.
 
A different group of Spartans had their time to shine in the third set and put a stamp on the Homecoming victory. Setter Shannon McLain kicked off the set with three straight points including a dump and back-to-back service aces. The Spartans had a balanced approach in Set Three as the group of Olivia Himmel, Kaili Smith, Kirsten van der Vleuten, and Maria Hanusik all finished with three kills apiece.
 
Missouri Baptist extended its winning streak to 12 matches and unbeaten streak at home this season to nine. Taking last season's forfeits at home out of the equation, one would have to trace back all the way to October 26, 2018, and the five-set thriller vs. then-No. 1 Park for the last time that the Spartans lost a match inside of the Carl and Deloris Petty Sports & Recreation Complex.
 
Leaders on Saturday for MBU included Stojovic with eight kills, Vargas with 27 assists, Braswell with three of the Spartans' nine aces, Ariana Macies with 10 digs, and Lattimore and Smith with two blocks apiece.
 
No. 4 Missouri Baptist will resume play next weekend in Lincoln, Ill. with a tri-match on Saturday that includes (RV) Indiana University South Bend and Lincoln College