ST. LOUIS – Kicking off the AMC Women's Volleyball Championship Tuesday with Williams Baptist in the quarterfinals, Missouri Baptist won with ease in a straight-set win over the No. 8 seed. En route to a 25-11, 25-15, 25-12 victory, the top-seeded Spartans powered their way through the Eagles with a season-high 52 kills and a red-hot hitting percentage of .473.
No. 5-ranked Missouri Baptist notched sweep No. 18 of the season and the second 3-0 win over the Eagles in as many tries.
The Spartans came out guns blazing and offensively could not be stopped. In Set One, MoBap was highly efficient, recording 19 kills to just one attack error. They paired the blistering .640 hitting percentage with two blocks and a service ace to take a quick 25-11 set from Williams Baptist.
While not as efficient as the first set, MBU continued to put the ball down in the second frame with an identical stat line of 19 kills, two blocks, and an ace.
The Spartans coasted through the third and final frame thanks to an early 6-0 run and late 8-0 stretch for a 25-12 set win.
The quarterfinal matchup brought out the best in MBU's hitters, with four Spartans registering 10+ kills. Senior opposite hitter
Giovanna Tapigliani has hit her stride as of late and led the Spartans on Tuesday with match bests in kills (11), hitting % (.667), and digs (13).
Joining Tapigliani in the 10+ kill club were outside hitter
Isidora Stojovic (10 K, .444 %) and the middle blocker tandem of
Sara Klunder (10 K, .571%, 1 SA, 1 B) and
Raylyn Dodd (10 K, .563%). Dodd was also busy at the net recording three solo blocks and three block assists.
Freshman setter
Shannon McLain reached 40 assists in a three-set match for the second time this season while accumulating four kills, three digs, two blocks, and a service ace.
Always a steady presence on the court, reigning AMC Defender of the Week
Ariana Macies posted 11 digs, two assists, and had a perfect 1.000 reception percentage on 22 balls served her way.
Up next for the Spartans is No. 4 seed University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy (15-13, 6-3 AMC). The Eutectics advanced to the AMC Semifinals after defeating Central Baptist in straight sets (25-18, 25-13, 25-13). The first serve for Thursday's semifinal match is set for 7 p.m. in MBU's Lacey Gymnasium.
