LA CROSSE, Wis.– Fifth-ranked Viterbo University swept No. 11 Missouri Baptist University women's volleyball on Saturday afternoon. The Spartans fell in three sets to wrap up the Viterbo Invitational with a 1-2 overall record in two days.
No. 5 Viterbo Recap
The Spartans found themselves trailing 14-11 in set one but came storming back with kills from
Tayler Neal and
Gabi Jakubowska that helped pull them within one. The two teams matched each other point-for-point until a 4-1 run from the V-Hawks had them ahead 21-17. MBU made a late push behind a pair of kills from Jakubowska, but Martina McGrath ended the set 25-22 with her third kill.
Despite hitting -.133 in set two, Missouri Baptist found themselves within striking distance at 17-15. That is until Viterbo rattled off seven straight and eight of nine to take the set and a 2-0 advantage.
Freshman
Elina Arsov did her best to help the Spartans avoid the sweep, tallying five kills in the third set alone. She gave MBU a 6-5 lead off an assist from
Julia Pereira before the V-Hawks responded with four-in-a-row to take a lead they would not relinquish. At 24-20,
Maiana Coelho found Jakubowska and Arsov as they mounted an improbable comeback, but McGrath's eighth kill ended the set and the sweep for Viterbo.
Spartan Stat Leaders
Kills:
Gabi Jakubowska (11)
Assists:
Maiana Coelho (22)
Hitting %:
Gabi Jakubowska (.250)
Aces:
Julia Pereira (2)
Digs:
Luiza Arsufi (13)
Blocks:
Kassie Lee (2)
Records
No. 11 Missouri Baptist: 2-7
No. 5 Viterbo: 2-5
Next Game
The Spartans take next week off before hitting the road again on Thursday, Sept. 5, for a matchup with Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo. The opening serve is set for 6:30 p.m.
