OSKALOOSA, Iowa – No. 10 Missouri Baptist University volleyball bounced back in dominant fashion Saturday morning, sweeping William Penn (25-17, 25-21, 25-19) to wrap up its two-match Iowa trip. With the win, the Spartans improved to 14-3 overall and 6-1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference play.
Allana Capella led the way with 10 kills and 16 digs for a double-double, while
Kassie Lee hit .368 with 10 kills and four blocks.
Fernanda Perini added six kills and three blocks, and
Gabi Jakubowska chipped in five kills and six digs.
Valentina Navarro guided the offense with 24 assists, while
Julia Reis Pereira totaled six digs and four aces.
As a team, Missouri Baptist hit .200 with nine service aces and 7 blocks, while holding William Penn to .056 hitting.
MBU set the tone early, opening the first set on a 5-0 run behind the serve of Navarro and kills from Capella and Perini.
Kassie Lee fueled the attack at the net with five kills in the frame, and libero Pereira delivered three aces late to help seal a 25-17 win.
The second set was tighter, with William Penn rallying within 13-10 before Capella and Perini sparked a 4-1 Spartan run. Capella's ace and a block by Lee and Jakubowska extended the lead, and another block closed out a 25-21 decision.
Missouri Baptist controlled the third set from the start, racing out to a 10-4 lead on consecutive aces from
Nina Cillo. Capella and Lee combined for eight kills down the stretch, and the Spartans clinched the sweep with a 25-19 victory.
MBU returns to Heart play next week at Central Methodist University on Thursday, Sept. 25. The opening serve in Fayette, Mo., is set for 7 p.m.
