UHSP Loses Battle with Missouri Baptist

The Eutectic women's volleyball team faced off against the Missouri Baptist University Spartans in the UHSP gymnasium for an American Midwest Conference (AMC) matchup on Tuesday night. The 2023 national-qualifying Spartans (10-10, 3-0 AMC), who are currently receiving votes for national rankings, came in as the heavy favorite and proved their worth with a straight-set victory over the Eutectics.

The Eutectics started off the first set by marking the board first with a kill by Tera Schumacher assisted by Jenna Brinson. The Spartans, however, were able to quickly turn the tide, taking a 7-3 lead from six kills and a UHSP error, interrupted briefly by a kill by Angelica Daginis (from Brinson) and an ace from Sumanpreet Kaur.  Up 11-6, the MBU team picked up the next seven points in a row before another Schumacher kill ended the streak. The Spartans went on to win seven of the next nine points to win the set at 25-9.

After a 2-2 start to the second set, the Spartans, again, grabbed the momentum to pull ahead. The Eutectics, down 8-4, however, were able to pull within striking distance at 8-6 after an MBU error and a kill by AnnMarie Cates (from Brinson). Back-to-back kills from the Eutectics got the Home Team within one point at 11-10. The Spartans, however, were unwilling to let up. At 16-13, they strung together six kills, two aces, and forced one attack error by the Euts to win the set at 25-13.

MBU's Luiza Arsufi served up two aces to start the third set and the Visitors were up 5-3 when they, again, scored seven points in a row to take a sizable lead at 12-3. Up 17-10, the Spartans finished the set with another scoring run of eight points to win it 25-10 and claim the straight-set match victory.

The Spartans tough defense only allowed 14 Eutectic kills, as Brinson and Schumacher combined for 13 assists. Libero Macy Hendrix picked up 14 digs.

After three AMC matches so far this season, the Eutectics, now 3-18 overall, are still looking for their first Conference win. They will be back in AMC action tomorrow afternoon when they travel to Hannibal-LaGrange University (Mo.) to take on the 5-20 HLGU Trojans (2-1, AMC) for a 4 p.m. matchup.