ST. LOUIS – The No. 14-ranked Missouri Baptist University men's volleyball team powered past Missouri Valley College, 3-1, on Tuesday evening for its first win over a ranked opponent this season. Protecting their undefeated record at home and pushing their win streak to five, the Spartans defeated the 11^th-ranked Vikings, 25-19, 25-22, 20-25, 25-19.
 
Moving into third place in the Heart of America Athletic Conference standings, Missouri Baptist improved to 9-2 (5-2 HEART), while MoVal dropped to 7-4 overall and 2-3 in the conference. The Spartans are now winners in 15 of their last 17 against the Vikings after avenging last year's back-to-back losses.
 
Several Spartans stood out in the win, but one specifically had a career day. The visitors from Marshall, Mo. had a tough time hitting around sophomore middle blocker Kyle Merzweiler at the net, who recorded 12 blocks – 4 solo, 8 assisted. The 12 blocks in a single match mark the most by a Spartan since Joel May's 15 blocks against Park University in 2006.
 
No. 14 Missouri Baptist grabbed a 1-0 lead on the Vikings thanks to a well-rounded opening set with nine kills, four blocks, and three service aces. Outside hitter Miljan Kastratovic and Stephen Bilkey combined for nine kills, including a .714 hitting clip from Kastratovic. MBU went on to win Set One, 25-19.
 
Kastratovic's hot start carried over into the second set, where he again paced the Spartans with six kills and a pair of blocks (1 S, 1 A). Fellow outside hitter Auston Bonte chipped in four kills to aid MBU's 25-22 win in Set Two.
 
The Spartans led for a few points early in Set Three. However, the Vikings were steadfast in forcing a fourth set. MoVal slowed down Kastratovic in a big way, holding him without a kill in the third frame, and in large part the Spartans as a team as well. MBU hit just .071% in the 25-20 Set Three loss.
 
Unable to furnish the sweep, the Spartans played with a chip on their shoulder and had their best set of the match. Late in the set, the Spartans leaned on their top offensive weapon in Kastratovic and the front-row duo of Kyle Merzweiler and David Rudic, who combined for three blocks in four rallies.
 
Joining Kastratovic in double-digit kills was Auston Bonte, who notched 13 kills, seven digs, and three service aces. Kastatrovic finished Tuesday with a match-best 15 kills, five blocks, four digs, and three service aces.
 
Other notable performances included Stephen Bilkey (8 kills, 6 digs), Gabe Norsigian (4 kills, .571%, 2 blocks), and Stephen Menzel (14 digs, 3 assists).
 
Next for the Spartans is the second men's volleyball edition of the 'Conway Clash' with Maryville University on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.