ST. LOUIS – Missouri Baptist University moved into the Heart of America Athletic Conference Semifinals after taking down seventh-seeded Dordt University in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
 
With the win, the Spartans will host the third-seed Mount Mercy University on Wednesday, April 16 at 7 p.m., for the HAAC Semifinals.
 
For the bracket, click here. All games will be streamed on the Heart Conference Network.
 
HAAC Quarterfinals Recap
Led by a three-headed attack from Veljko Culibrk, Marko Jovanovic, and Michael Olson, MBU took down Dordt in three sets to secure their place as the host of the HAAC Semifinal. The team hit .417 to claim a 25-20, 25-21, 25-18 victory over the Defenders.
 
Culibrk led the way with 13 kills, followed by 11 from Olson and 10 from Jovanovic. All three hit above .390 with Jovanovic leading the way at .529. Culibrk additionally chipped in five service aces and Olson had four blocks.
 
"Our pins were very dominant today," said Head Men's Volleyball Coach Tom Young. "The credit goes to the whole team though, we served and passed well to open up the guys on the pins."
 
The HAAC Setter of the Year David Rudic opened up the attack with 34 assists while the defensive presence up front gave the Spartans nine more blocks than the opposition at 11.
 
MBU found themselves trailing 16-14 in set one before a long run aided by a pair of service aces from Jovanovic blew through a pair of Defender timeouts and sent the Spartans out ahead 20-16. Rudic found Olson, then Culibrk, and then Jovanovic on three of the final four plays to end game one 25-20.
 
The Spartans got out to a big lead in set two when Dordt came roaring back with six points in seven plays to pull within two at 21-19. A needed timeout had the home team refreshed as they ended the second frame 25-21 on kill from Jovanovic and a kill and an ace from Culibrk.
 
In the third set, MBU hit .391 in a decisive 25-18 victory to earn the sweep and move into the HAAC Semifinals.
 
Spartan Stat Leaders
Kills: Veljko Culibrk (13)
Assists: David Rudic (34)
Hitting %: Marko Jovanovic (.529)
Aces: Veljko Culibrk (5)
Digs: Olson & Seyer (6)
Blocks: Michael Anderson (5.0)

Records
No. 5 Missouri Baptist: 25-4
Dordt: 15-12

Follow Us:
X/Twitter: @mbuvolleyball
Instagram: @mbuvolleyball
  Read Full Article