FAYETTE, Mo. - Regular season play is officially over for the No. 4 Spartans, with a 3-1 victory against Central Methodist, extending their winning streak to 20 games. MBU has only dropped five during the streak.
Central Methodist came out hot to begin the set, with nine straight kills without an error to begin, propelling them to a 15-7 lead early on. Fernanda Perini goes on a heater, leading the Spartans on a 5-0 run with multiple kills and a block to close the deficit to three. Both teams continue to trade blows, but the Eagles hang on to claim the first set win, 25-19.
MBU comes into set two with a chip on their shoulder, and it shows as they go on a 17-5 run, a team effort that featured plenty of kills, blocks, and service aces by a number of Spartans. The Spartans never let up, as they closed out the set quickly, 25-11, following an Isabella Munari kill, to tie up the series. The team as a whole finished set two with an impressive .429 hitting percentage.
No.4 Spartans were down the majority of set three as they had a game-high eight errors this set. Later down the stretch at 19-16, a 5-0 run led by Munari on the serving and attacking end gave MBU their first lead of the set, 21-19. Central Methodist couldn't recover momentum, and a Perini kill sealed the set, 25-21.
The fourth set was a kill clinic from both sides, as each had an attacking percentage of .390 or higher. Only four errors were committed between the two teams as well. In a set that featured nine ties, MBU was able to take control late, outscoring the Eagles 10-6 after the 15 a piece tie. An Ashlynn Hughes and Martina Ligabue block sealed the win, with a score identical to the third set's score.
The Spartans put up video game-like numbers in the box score. Perini recorded a season-high eight blocks to go with 21 kills. Peyton Meyers was on fire from the service, having a season-high four service aces. Alohilani Bursey held it down defensively, recording a season-high five blocks. Ligabue had 58 assists, which surprisingly doesn't outdo her career-high set against Maryville University of 65. Once again, Munari was reliable in both the front and back row, having 20 digs as well as 13 kills.
MBU has a full week to prepare for the Heart Conference Tournament, as they look to become back-to-back Conference Champions.
