ST. LOUIS – Missouri Baptist University dropped its first official home match of the season, falling in the Conway Clash to Maryville University in straight sets Tuesday night. The Spartans were swept 25-16, 25-23, 25-18.

Luka Stepanovic led MBU offensively with nine kills on 22 attacks, posting a .318 hitting percentage. Isaac Allgeyer added a team-high 10 kills, while AJ Tufuga chipped in five kills on a .333 hitting percentage. Setter Josh Kaemmerer directed the offense with 26 assists. Nikos Faoutas also contributed two service aces.

As a team, the Spartans hit .247 with 34 kills on 85 total attacks.

Maryville opened the match with a strong first set, hitting .545 behind 15 kills and capitalizing on early momentum to pull away for a 25-16 win. Missouri Baptist hit .333 in the frame, led by Stepanovic, but could not close the gap.

The Spartans responded in the second set, pushing the Saints into a tight battle. MBU matched Maryville point for point late, but the Saints edged out a 25-23 win after hitting .231 in the set. Allgeyer and Tufuga paced the Spartans as they hit .229 in the frame.

The match concluded with Maryville closing out the sweep in the third set, 25-18. Missouri Baptist stayed within striking distance early, but the Saints pulled away behind a .545 hitting percentage to secure the Conway Clash victory.

Missouri Baptist returns to action this Friday as it continues nonconference play against Georgetown before opening Heart of America Athletic Conference competition next week.