ST. LOUIS – For the first time in program history, the Maryville men's volleyball team defeated a nationally-ranked opponent with a thrilling 3-2 triumph over No. 12 Missouri Baptist. The Saints won by set scores of 28-30, 25-17, 25-20, 24-26, 15-13.
Luke Kraft hammered down 19 kills to tie his career high, while
Makai Scott recorded a double-double with 12 kills and a career-best 19 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Spartans won the opening set in extra points before the Saints evened up the match. The Saints took set three before Missouri Baptist prevailed again in extra points to force a decisive fifth set.
The set was tied at 5-5 before the Saints reeled off four straight points to surge ahead. Kraft sparked the run with a kill, and Scott followed with a termination.
AJ Robateau served an ace before an MBU error pushed the Saints ahead 9-5. The Spartans answered with four consecutive kills to forge a 9-9 tie. Tied at 10 apiece,
Kevin Doran drilled a kill, and Kraft had another kill. The Spartans closed to 12-11 before Maryville notched back-to-back blocks to reach match point. MBU saved two points but Kraft delivered the match-ending point.
The Saints posted 16 team blocks to lead the defensive efforts that held the Spartans to a .146 hitting percentage. Doran finished with eight kills and recorded a .538 hitting mark.
Ethan Beyreis-Heim surpassed the 40-assist mark for the second straight match and finished with 41 helpers. The win is the first for Maryville over Missouri Baptist as the Spartans had claimed the first five all-time meetings.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Kills:
Luke Kraft - 19
Hitting Percentage:
Kevin Doran - .538
Assists:
Ethan Beyreis-Heim - 41
Service Aces:
Luke Kraft - 5
Digs:
Makai Scott - 19
Blocks:
AJ Robateau - 7
RECORDS
Maryville: 2-5
No. 12 Missouri Baptist: 3-1
What's Next?
The Saints stay at home and host Central State University Friday, Feb. 7, in a 7 p.m. first serve in Moloney Arena.
