ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Facing the no. 8-ranked Missouri Baptist Spartans for the second time this season, William Woods managed to find a much better rhythm throughout the match. The Owls (24-9) posted 12 total blocks (2 solo, 10 assist) to just nine for MBU (1 solo, 8 assist), but could not turn the defensive effort into a win, falling 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-19) to the top-seeded Spartans (25-5) on Friday.

Woods took an early 6-4 lead in the first set, but the hosts responded with an 8-2 run to break the set open. The Owls battled back, closing the deficit to one point at 16-15 on a kill by Lanie Lowry.

MBU stretched the margin back to six with a five-point run - again snapped by Lowry - but WWU wasn't able to string together enough back-to-back points to close the gap before Missouri Baptist claimed the 25-21 set win.

The Owls again found themselves facing set point late in the second after a see-saw battle, but mustered three straight points to close the margin to 24-21 before Missouri Baptist took the second set.

After a five-point Spartan run to open the third set, Woods recovered and closed the distance with a sustained offensive threat. The Owls were able to capitalize on some unforced errors by the Spartans and narrow the margin to 20-17 and again to 22-19, but MBU claimed the match win with a three-point spurt.

The Owls finished the night hitting at a .146 pace, holding Missouri Baptist to a .188 in the third set and a .237 pace for the match. Lowry notched nine kills for WWU on the night, with Kassidy Phillips adding seven kills and matching Rhakala Blackmon with a game-high four blocks (1 solo, 3 assist).

William Woods finishes its season with a 24-9 overall record.