ST. LOUIS – A program-best and NAIA-leading 38 consecutive sets won streak came to an end Wednesday evening, however, that minor setback didn't get in the way of No. 5-ranked Missouri Baptist Women's Volleyball extending its overall winning streak to 14 matches. The Spartans defeated Lincoln College, 3-1, to move to 14-1 on the year.
 
The visiting Lynx gave Missouri Baptist all it could handle in the first two sets. Despite Lincoln posting 19 kills in the opening set and having set point at 24-23, Missouri Baptist was able to fend off an early upset thanks to a .424 hitting percentage throughout and a string of three clutch points to cap off the 26-24 win in Set 1. A Raylyn Dodd-Giovanna Tapigliani block tied the game at 24-all, followed by an LC attack error and Dodd kill.
 
In the second set, Lincoln continued to play to its strengths and consistently made the Spartans play out of system. With a 7-5 lead early on, the Lynx went on a damaging 5-0 run to go up by seven and then added another 4-0 run when the Spartans seemed to be battling back. MoBap closed within three at the 23-20 mark, however, the seven-point deficit proved to be too much to overcome. With a 25-20 triumph, Lincoln ended MBU's consecutive sets won streak at 38, a stretch that dated back all the way to the opening weekend (Sept. 5, 2020) in the Spartans' 3-1 win over No. 3 Viterbo (Wis.).
 
No. 5-ranked Missouri Baptist bounced back with vengeance winning the next two sets soundly by scores of 25-10 and 25-11. Compared to the first two sets in which Lincoln hit .310 and totaled 32 kills, the Lynx attack disappeared abruptly combining for just 10 kills and a -.037 hitting percentage in the final two sets. Meanwhile, the Spartans found their groove hitting a match-best .500 in Set 3 with 15 kills and 2 errors and similar numbers in the fourth and final set – 13 kills, 3 errors and .400 hitting %.
 
Headlining the Spartans' performances on Wednesday was senior Giovanna Tapigliani, who slid over to outside with the absences of Isidora Stojovic and Emma Lattimore. The opposite hitter from São Paulo, Brazil smashed her previous season high in kills (12) with a match-best 20 on .486 hitting.
 
Also posting a new season- and career-high in kills was freshman Maria Hanusik, who reached double-digit kills for the first time in her young career. Hanusik finished the match with 10 kills and was one dig shy of a double-double with 9 kills. The Spartans' other top offensive weapons were middle blockers Raylyn Dodd and Sara Klunder, who combined for 17 kills, a .424 hitting % and 5 blocks.
 
Recently-named NAIA Setter of the Week Manuela Vargas finished with 39 assists, 7 digs, 3 kills and 2 service aces, while libero Ariana Macies led the team in digs with 13.
 
Extending its home-match winning streak to 24, Missouri Baptist will be back in action next week at home on Thursday, March 4 against Trinity International University at 6 p.m.