IOWA- Missouri Baptist University men's volleyball takes the hits this weekend in Iowa, against William Penn University on March 20 and Grand View University on March 21.

The Spartans came out strong this weekend with two games full of competitive rallies, but could not pull through the wins. With this win, the Spartans move down in the Heart of America Athletic Conference to ninth place.

Offensive plays came from Luka Stepanovic, reaching the team high of 31 kills this weekend. AJ Tufuga had a 0.500 hitting percentage in the first game. Setter Axel Griguer controlled the offense, dishing out 77 assists throughout the two games. Isaac Allgeyer earned four service aces in the second game.

Libero Cruse Aea held the most digs for both games with a total overall of 22. Middle blockers, Tufuga and Johnathan Kreke, provided strong defensive in each game with a combined total of 10 blocks.
 
Game One: William Penn vs. Missouri Baptist

Missouri Baptist fell to William Penn in straight sets, 25-23, 26-24, and 25-17.

Missouri Baptist remained competitive early, pushing William Penn in the opening set with 18 kills and a .324 hitting percentage. However, the Statesmen capitalized on late points to edge out a 25–23 win.

The second set followed a similar pattern, as both teams exchanged leads throughout. Despite hitting .267 as a team, the Spartans narrowly fell 26–24, giving William Penn a two-set advantage.

Within the third, William Penn asserted control, recording a match-high .600 hitting percentage with 14 kills and only two errors, completing the sweep, 25-17.

Spartan Stat Leaders
Kills: Luka Stepanovic (12)
Assists: Axel Griguer (38)
Hitting %: AJ Tufuga (.500)
Aces: Isaac Allgeyer (2)
Digs: Cruse Aea (7)
Blocks: AJ Tufuga (4)
 
Game Two: Grand View vs. Missouri Baptist

The Spartans dropped a four-set match to Grand View by scores of 26–24, 24–26, 25–27, and 25–27.

The Spartans opened the match with a strong performance, narrowly taking the first set 26–24. The Spartans recorded 12 kills in the opening frame and held off a late rally by Grand View to secure the early advantage. However, Grand View responded in the second set, hitting .320 as a team to even the match with a 26–24 win.

Despite a competitive effort from the Spartans, including 12 kills and a .229 hitting percentage in the third set, Grand View capitalized on its offensive rhythm, tallying 18 kills and a .300 percentage. With another close rally, Grand View pulled away with the point, ending the set 27-25.

In the fourth set, Missouri Baptist struggled offensively, posting a -.023 percentage. Grand View took advantage, securing the set 27–25 to clinch the match.

Spartan Stat Leaders
Kills: Luka Stepanovic (19)
Assists: Axel Griguer (39)
Hitting %: Axel Griguer (.600)
Aces: Isaac Allgeyer (4)
Digs: Cruse Aea (15)
Blocks: Johnathan Kreke (6)

Records
No. 9 Missouri Baptist: 7-9
No. 3 William Penn: 11-4
No. 6 Grand View: 9-5

Next Game
The Spartans take the road for the next game against Avila University, on Friday, March 27, at 7 p.m.
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