DES MOINES, IOWA. — Missouri Baptist men's volleyball lost their first game in pool play on Tuesday to Benedictine University at Mesa in three sets. The Spartans eventually found a groove midway through the third set, but the Redhawks declined the comeback bid with a 28-26 victory for the sweep. 

The men lost in convincing fashion in the first two sets. They could only muster 17 points in the first set and 16 points in the second set the put them in an early two-set deficit.

Strong teamplay fueled an exciting third set, however. The Spartans found themselves in another deep hole at 15-9 but continued to battle. 

Kills from Kyle Merzweiler and Miljan Kastratovic gave their team a heartbeat followed by an attack error from the opposition. Another kill from Merzweiler, one from Drew Iliff, and another attack error closed the gap to 17-15. 

Later in the set with their backs against the wall at 22-19, Jason Harman found Merzweiler two more times before Charles Pollnow restored Benedictine's two-point lead on the following play.

Harman then found Kastratovic for his 10th kill of the afternoon to give MBU the serve and a chance to tie. Kastratovic converted on the opportunity by sending over an ace to tie the set at 23 all. 

Benedictine scored the next point, committed a service error, and watched a service ace from Stephen Menzel hit the floor. Bobby Henige sent down a kill for the Redhawks to tie it before they committed another service error.

With a 26-25 lead and a chance to take set three, the Spartans could not get the job done. Two attack errors and a Benedictine block sent the men off in three sets. 

Iliff led the team with 13 kills to go along with two digs and a block assist. Kastratovic posted 10 kills and an ace while Harman collected 30 assists and five digs. 

Their second and final pool play matchup will be played on Wednesday at 1 p.m. against Lourdes University.