FORT WAYNE, Ind. - No. 11 Missouri Baptist University women's volleyball executed a successful second day at the Onset Invitational, winning all six sets across contests against Fisk University and Saint Xavier University.
Fisk Recap
As the saying goes, the early bird gets the worm. Over the course of the 7:30 a.m. match against Fisk, MBU was active both early and often to sweep the Bulldogs 26-24, 25-17, and 25-13.
The day's opening set would prove to be the most difficult for the Spartans. Each team returned point after point, both sides hoping for something to break. Down 12-11, MBU setter Martina Ligabue found an opening, assisting Herdie Castillo and Ashlynn Hughes on back-to-back kills. Fisk would retaliate, though, rallying to an eventual 22-17 lead. With backs against the wall, the Spartans again turned to their setter, who recorded a pair of aces and three more assists on the way to a seven-point shift, placing Missouri Baptist back on top. Castillo would eventually put the lid on the initial set with her fourth kill.
Sets two and three were much more relaxed as the Spartans began to settle into a groove. Jumping to a 5-0 lead in the second, MBU led by eight on multiple occasions en route to a 25-17 victory. As if to one-upthemselves, Missouri Baptist would dominate the final set by a difference of 12.
A team attacking percentage of .255, including a .400 (13/25) split in set three, the Spartans were able to find gaps in the court game-long. Fernanda Perini was a force, swinging at a success-rate of .632 for a total of 14 kills. Ligabue tallied an even 30 assists and aced five serves.
Shelby Chamblin topped Fisk's attack with 10 kills and Jordan Eager notched three service aces.
Saint Xavier Recap
The conclusion to the Spartans' 2026 Onset Invitational adventure was picturesque, handling Saint Xavier in three sets, 25-13, 25-10, 25-14.
Excellent serving and a stout defense would be the story of this game, as MBU totaled 17 service aces coming from seven unique hands. Julia Reis Pereira was the catalyst, placing five serves on hardwood.
The squad would combine for a total of 12 blocks for seven points as well, allowing little from the Cougars' hitters through their ranks.
Otherwise, Hughes continued her excellent beginning to the 2026 season with 9 kills on a .667 percentage. Castillo earned 9 kills of her own as well.
Saint Xavier was led in kills by Delaney Panozzo and Addison Hoeniges, each with three.
Missouri Baptist women's volleyball returns to St. Louis 3-1 after a successful opening slate of action. The ladies return to the court for arguably the most difficult stretch of the year from Aug. 27-29, facing No. 1 Northwestern College, No. 12 Oklahoma Wesleyan University, No. 14 St. Thomas University, No. 20 Midland University, and No. 25 Viterbo University at the Midland Showdown in Fremont, Neb.
