Location: Mission University (W.E. Dowell Fieldhouse) Springfield, Missouri
Date: October 17, 2024
Game Results: Missouri Baptist University 3, Mission University 0
The Missouri Baptist University Lady Spartans, receiving votes in the NAIA national poll, opened up the first set displaying their height advantage in moving out to a 9-1 lead. The Mission University Lady Patriots did rebound from that deficit to play Missouri Baptist even for the rest of the set, but dropped it 25-13.
Ella Sims had 2 Kills for the Lady Pats in the opening set. In set two, the Lady Patriots held a brief early lead, then a 5-0 run by the Lady Spartans secured a lead, 11-5 for Missouri Baptist, that they would not relinquish the remainder of the set. The Lady Pats got to within five points, 20-15, but could not gain enough momentum to overcome the deficit as they dropped the second set 25-17.
Abbi Street and Sims each knocked down 3 Kills to pace Mission. In the third set, the score was close for the first 11 points. Mission led by two points twice, 4-2 and 5-3, and still were ahead 6-5, when the Lady Spartans started to put together an offensive push. Missouri Baptist secured the lead at 7-6, then improved it to 11-6. The Lady Patriots got down by ten, 20-10, before rallying a bit, but it was too little to come back from a double-digit margin. Missouri Baptist prevailed 25-16 in the third set and won the match, 3-0. Street led the team with 3 Kills.
Upcoming action:
The Volley Patriots go on the road next week for a pair of American Midwest Conference matches. On Tuesday, October 22, the team goes to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, to face the Williams Baptist University Lady Eagles at 6 pm. Thursday, October 24, the squad goes to Paragould, Arkansas, to play a match against the Crowley's Ridge College Lady Pioneers, also with a 6 pm start time.
