ST. LOUIS – The No. 14-ranked Missouri Baptist University men's volleyball team wrapped up a perfect 3-0 week with a key win in Heart of America Athletic Conference play over (RV) Mount Mercy University (11-5, 3-3 HEART). With their third sweep in four outings, the Spartans defeated the Mustangs by scores of 25-19, 25-21, and 25-17.
 
On Saturday afternoon, Missouri Baptist (8-2, 4-2 HEART) relied heavily on its pin hitters, who were credited with 33 of the team's 39 kills and nearly 85% of the total offensive production. The group of Miljan Kastratovic, Auston Bonte and Stephen Bilkey combined to hit .352% for the match and served extremely well against the Mustangs with nine of the MBU's 10 service aces.
 
Bonte had a memorable Set Three in which the junior scored in five consecutive rallies with back-to-back kills and three straight service aces. To close out the set, Bonte scored three of the last four points for the Spartans with two more aces to send the Mustangs home emptyhanded. With ace No. 5, Bonte set a new career-high in service aces.
 
Other stat leaders on the day included David Rudic with 32 assists, Stephen Menzel and Rudic with 10 digs apiece, and Gabe Norsigian with three blocks.
 
The upcoming week will certainly test the Spartans' endurance as they play at home on Tuesday vs. No. 8 Missouri Valley, Wednesday vs. Maryville, Friday vs. Graceland, and Saturday vs. No. 4 Park (Mo.). Next Saturday's rivalry match will mark MBU's sixth match in a nine-day span.