FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University volleyball team couldn't find the answer to take down the No. 2 Missouri Baptist University and its hopes of capturing the upset of the year came up short, as the Owls fell in straight sets (14-25, 28-30, 20-25).
 
Despite a valiant effort from the Owls (22-12, 9-2 AMC) on the night, especially in the second set, the Spartans (23-3; 10-0 AMC) were able to come away with its tenth American Midwest Conference win and remain on top in the conference standings.
 
WWU came out strong in the first set, jumping out to a 5-2 lead, after an attack error from MBU. However, the Spartans would get things started and tie the set up 6-6, after Mallory Dillon came up with the kill for Missouri Baptist.
 
After a service ace and kill from Hannah Carey, the Spartans would then string together a 8-3 run, to push its lead up to 14-9 over the Owls. Shortly, after MBU would close out the set on a 11-5 run, to give the team the 25-14 first set win.
 
WWU totaled eight kills in the first set, but had four errors for an attack percentage of .114 , while MBU collected 16 kills, while also ended with four errors for an attack percentage of .353.
 
In the second set, both teams battled until the very last point and it started right from the beginning, as the scoring went back-and forth. After there were 38 different occasions, the set was tied, the Owls would capture its largest lead of the set (17-14), after back to back kills from Brittney Engelbrecht and Stephanie Davis.
 
MBU would respond and tie things up at 18-18, after Carey would add another service ace on the night. Down the stretch of the set, WWU would continue to go toe to toe with the No. 2 ranked Missouri Baptist and have the first set point advantage (24-23), after freshman Tori Wiley earned a kill.
 
However, the Spartans would prove why they have had huge success this season and answer with a timely kill from its offensive spearhead, Mallory Dillon. Then an attack error from WWU would shift the momentum to MBU for the set point opportunity, but the Spartans weren't able to captlize and we were all knotted up a at 28-28.
 
MBU's Taylor Cook, would end the hard fought second set for the Spartans with a kill down the right side and was able to punch an service ace behind the Owls back row, to edge the Owls 30-28 and take a 2-0 match lead.
 
Both teams executed well in the second set, recording 17 kills a piece, which was a match-high for the Owls.
 
The third set, it was the Spartans that took an early 8-3 lead, as Ally Krus connected with Logan Mennemeyer for a kill. Although, just like all season, the Owls weren't going down without a fight, as the team took the 12-11 lead, with the help from Davis kill.
 
Later on in the set, it was MBU who regained the lead and pushed its advantage out to 20-14, but the Owls would get back into the game, as they went on a 4-1 run and trailed 21-18, after a kill from Emily Becker.
 
However, that would be as close as the Owls would get and MBU would go on to secure the set and match 25-20 win.
 
William Woods totaled 34 kills on the night and were led by Davis , having a team-high nine kills and an attack percentage of .412. Becker and Wiley each contributed seven kills apiece, while Lauren Rodewald chipped in six. Engelbrecht ended the night handing out 27 assists, while Shelby Hinshaw led the team defensively with eight digs.
 
The Spartans, meanwhile, were led by Dillon, with a match-high 16 kills and an attack percentage of .481. Ally Krus recorded an impressive 44 assists, while libero, Haley Pouliezous gathered 13 digs.
 
The Owls return to action on Saturday, as the team faces yet another tough competitor that is ranked in the top 25. The No. 24 ranked Grandview University will pay a visit to Fulton, Missouri for a 2:00 p.m. first serve.
 
Fans stay updated on wwuowls.com for a full preview of this match-up.

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