ST. LOUIS – The wins continue to roll in for No. 4-ranked Missouri Baptist Women's Volleyball and on Friday the Spartans extended their winning streak to nine matches. Turning in a superb defensive performance, Missouri Baptist avenged a sweep from last season by blanking (RV) Ottawa University (Kan.), 25-18, 26-24, 25-15, in non-conference action at the Carl & Deloris Petty SRC.
 
One of the top performances of the day came from libero Ariana Macies, who has been unstoppable in the back row for the Spartans. Macies made it impossible for the visitors to find an opening as she posted an astounding 11.33 digs per set. The season-best 34 digs were just three short of her career-high, which was achieved in a five-set win during her sophomore season at Iowa Western CC.
 
When Macies wasn't passing, several other Spartans backed her up including outside hitter Emma Lattimore and setter Manuela Vargas, who each cracked 10+ digs on the afternoon. As a team, MoBap registered 78 digs. Additionally, the Spartan front row gave the Braves issues with 10 team blocks.
 
After falling behind 2-0 to begin the match, Missouri Baptist quickly rebounded with a 5-0 run and never trailed the rest of the set. The tandem of Giovanna Tapigliani and Emma Lattimore paced the Spartans in Set 1 as each hit .625 with five kills apiece. For the set, MBU hit an impressive .455.
 
The following frame was much tighter with several lead changes scattered throughout. Ottawa grabbed a four-point lead at the 13-9 mark before the Spartans evened it back up at 15-all. With its back against the wall and Ottawa leading late and match point at 24-22, Missouri Baptist rallied in the biggest way possible scoring four unanswered points. Tapigliani began the comeback with an emphatic kill, followed by Sara Klunder and Emma Lattimore kills, and it all came full circle with Tapigliani delivering an ace to propel the Spartans to a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
2020-21 AMC Player of the Year Giovanna Tapigliani made certain that the Spartans would head into the weekend with a sweep recording eight kills in the final set. Missouri Baptist jumped out to an early 13-4 lead and had no problem putting away the set, defeating the Braves, 25-15.
 
Tapigliani led all players with 19 kills and a match-best .545 hitting percentage. The São Paulo, Brazil native also added 5 blocks, 5 digs and 2 service aces to her final stat line. Emma Lattimore joined Tapigliani in double-digit kills and recorded a double-double with her 14 digs.
 
Other notable performances on attack included Carlee Wise, who posted five kills and a pair of blocks in the thrilling second set, Manuela Vargas with a double-double of 43 assists and 10 digs, Raylyn Dodd with four kills and six blocks, and Nathiellen Machado with seven digs.
 
The Spartans will be back at home two times next week with AMC matchups as they host University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy and Hannibal-LaGrange University on Tuesday and Thursday. As a reminder, single-match tickets can be purchased at MBUSpartans.UniversityTickets.com.