OTTAWA, KAN. – The Missouri Baptist University men's volleyball team pushed the Ottawa University Braves in a competitive four-set battle but fell 3-1 on Saturday afternoon to close their road slate. Despite the loss, the Spartans showed fight throughout the match.

Isaac Allgeyer led Missouri Baptist with 18 kills and nine digs. AJ Tufuga added 10 kills and two service aces, while setter Josh Kaemmerer paced the offense with 26 assists.

Missouri Baptist opened the match with strong play, edging Ottawa late in the first set. The Spartans held off a Braves rally to claim the opener, 25–23. The Spartans hit .548 as a team on 19 kills and 31 attempts. Ottawa answered in the second set, using steady offense to pull away late. Missouri Baptist stayed within reach, but the Braves secured the frame, 25–22.

The Braves took control in the third set, capitalizing on runs midway through the frame. The Spartans battled back late, but Ottawa held on, 25–21. Missouri Baptist fought through another tight fourth set, trading points down the stretch before Ottawa closed it out, 25–22, to secure the match.

Cooper Worley had an outstanding performance, hitting .625 with five kills on eight attempts. Cruse Aea held down the defense with 18 digs and five assists. Lastly, Johnathan Kreke continued to be a wall at the net with five block assists and a solo block.

Missouri Baptist returns to action next week when they take on the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy Eutectics. Game time is set for Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m.