The Basics
Score: MNU 0 – Missouri Baptist 3
Record: MNU (20-6, 14-3), Missouri Baptist (25-5, 16-1)
Location: St. Louis, Mo. – Petty SRC
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – #25 MNU dropped a hard-fought road match Friday afternoon, falling in straight sets to #17 Missouri Baptist, 24-26, 20-25, 20-25, at the Petty SRC. The Pioneers have lost 2 matches in a row for the first time since the opening 2 matches of the season.
The Pioneers had chances in each set, especially the opener, where they rallied from a 18-8 deficit to tie things at 24 before Missouri Baptist closed it out. The Spartans hit .273 for the match compared to MNU's .138.
Mia Olson and Avery Lowe led the Pioneer offense with six and eight kills respectively. Olson hit .333 and added three blocks, while Lowe chipped in 8.5 points. Isabella Munari was a steady presence in the middle with seven kills on .300 hitting and three blocks. Setter Alex Thomas directed the offense with 16 assists and five digs, while Callie Winebarger added seven assists and two kills. Libero Emily Mathis anchored the back row with seven digs and three service aces, and Dominika Bartosz added another ace and seven digs of her own.
Turning Point
In the opening set, MNU erased a 10-point deficit to tie the score at 24-24, but Missouri Baptist answered with back-to-back kills to take the set 26-24.
Individual Leaders
Avery Lowe: 8 kills
Mia Olson: 6 kills, .333 pct., 3 blocks
Isabella Munari: 7 kills, .300 pct., 3 blocks
Alex Thomas: 16 assists, 5 digs
Emily Mathis: 7 digs, 3 aces
Dominika Bartosz: 7 digs, 1 ace
Up Next
The next match is Saturday at William Woods (18-11, 9-8) at 2:00 to close the regular season.
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