MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – It took the first set for top-ranked Missouri Baptist Women's Volleyball to find its bearings in the 2021 season opener, but once the Spartans did, they had no problem putting away Florida Memorial University in Thursday's 3-1 victory. The defending NAIA national champions dropped Set 1, 25-22, before bouncing back with three consecutive wins of 25-18, 25-17, 25-17.
 
It marks the first time since 2017 that the Spartans have ended in the win column following their season opener. From 2018 to 2020, MBU dropped close matches with teams either ranked or receiving votes in the preseason polls – Midland (2x) and Oklahoma City.
 
With nearly everyone returning from this spring's national championship squad, MoBap turned to some familiar faces on Thursday to pace the offensive attack. NAIA First Team All-American Giovanna Tapigliani had at least four kills in each frame with her biggest set coming in the third where she posted six. Set 3 was generous for the rest of the Spartans as the team hit a match-best .419.
 
That momentum carried into the final set as No. 1-ranked Missouri Baptist staged an 8-1 run followed by a 7-2 stretch to put the match out of reach. Junior Emma Lattimore notched six of her 11 kills in the set, while Tapigliani bumped her kill total for the day to 18.
 
Both Lattimore and Tapigliani recorded double-doubles (kills/digs) in the match. Joining the pin hitters in double-digit kills was senior and NAIA Third Team All-American Raylyn Dodd with 11 kills on 18 swings (.500). NAIA National Championship MVP Manuela Vargas averaged a nice 12.00 assists per set to go along with 9 digs, 3 kills, and 1 service ace.
 
Defensively, the Spartans registered just two blocks on the afternoon, however, that just meant more action for 2020-21 AMC Defensive Player of the Year Ariana Macies, who picked up 20 digs. Dating back to the beginning of Pool Play in Sioux City, Macies has now reached 20 digs in five of the last six matches.
 
One more notable performance was from sophomore middle Sara Klunder, who tied a career-high in service aces with three.
 
Two freshmen made their debuts in Florida including middle hitter Kirsten van der Vleuten and defensive specialist Natalie Edson.
 
Originally scheduled for a rematch with 2020 NAIA Women's Volleyball National Championship Pool F opponent Keiser University, No. 1-ranked MBU will now play (RV) Olivet Nazarene University Friday morning at 9 a.m. (CST). The Spartans' second match of the day will start at approximately 1 p.m. (CST) against Florida National University.