OWENSBORO, Ky. – On Thursday, a quick midweek trip to Kentucky resulted in a pair of straight-set wins for No. 12-ranked Missouri Baptist University Men's Volleyball. The Spartans defeated the University of Rio Grande in the first match 25-22, 25-18, 25-15 and capped off the day with a 25-17, 25-22, 25-11 win over host Brescia University.
 
The Spartan attack was clicking against the two Mid-South Conference volleyball schools, relatively new to the NAIA volleyball scene. Across the two matches, MBU totaled 89 kills with a .367 hitting percentage.
 
With two more sweeps on the resume, Missouri Baptist improved to 9-0 overall heading into next Tuesday's marquee matchup and Heart of America opener against No. 2-ranked Park University (Mo.) (7-1, 0-0 HEART). MBU has now swept seven of its nine opponents to start the year.
 
(12) Missouri Baptist def. University of Rio Grande, 3-0 [25-22, 25-18, 25-15]
It was a battle between the two squads' pin hitters in a closely contested opening set. Guiding the Spartans to a 25-22 set win, freshman opposite hitter Aleksa Mandic notched eight kills on nine swings (.889%), while Rio Grande's Caden Donaldson made up seven of the Red Storms' 12 kills.
 
Outsides Auston Bonte and Michael Olson joined in on the offensive outburst sparked by Mandic. The freshman once again led the team in kills in Set Two with five, while Bonte and Olson added four kills apiece. MoBap sprinkled in five service aces in the frame to keep Rio Grande at bay in the 25-18 Set Two victory.
 
The Red Storm was calmed from the start of Set Three thanks to the Spartans' early 10-2 run. MBU led the kill battle in the third set, 13-6, and outhit URG .385 to .080 on its way to a quick 25-15 win.
 
Mandic posted a career-high 17 kills against Rio Grande, a career-best .636 hitting percentage, and a team-high three service aces. Other notable performers included Auston Bonte (7 kills, 8 digs, 2 aces), Michael Olson (6 kills, 9 digs, 2 aces, 2 assists), Kyle Merzweiler (5 kills, .333%, 1 block), and David Rudic (36 assists, 2 kills, 2 aces, 4 digs).
 
(12) Missouri Baptist def. Brescia University, 3-0 [25-17, 25-22, 25-11]
The nightcap was well-balanced for the Spartans as they were dominant in attack and defense.
 
MBU held Brescia to a -.130 attack percentage with just five kills in Set One. It didn't get any better for the Bearcats in the second or third frame, as they managed just eight kills in the final two sets. Brescia finished the match with a negative hitting percentage (-.016), while the Spartans ended the game on a high note.
 
In Set Two, Auston Bonte and Kyle Merzweiler paced Missouri Baptist with four kills apiece in a tighter 25-22 win.
 
By Set Three, MoBap was firing on all cylinders, hitting a red-hot .640% with 18 kills. The Spartans made quick work of the Bearcats in the third frame as Mandic and Bonte recorded six kills apiece. MBU coasted to a 25-11 win in the final set.
 
Outside hitter Auston Bonte led all scorers with 12 kills, three blocks, and two aces. Other leaders against Brescia included middle Veljko Culibrk with four blocks, David Rudic with 33 assists, and Heart of America Athletic Conference Defender of the Week Marko Jovanovic with eight digs.