Mustangs drop four-setter to Spartans

ST. LOUIS -- The Morningside men's volleyball team dropped a four-set decision to Missouri Baptist on Saturday afternoon, falling 25-23, 15-25, 25-21 and 25-21. 

The Mustangs (15-3, 3-2 HAAC) totaled 53 kills and hit .229 as a team, highlighted by a dominant .464 clip in the second set, but Missouri Baptist closed strong in the final two frames to secure the win.

Natan Alves led all players with 21 kills, adding six digs, two total blocks and 22.5 points. Ferdinando Vinti provided an efficient presence in the middle with 10 kills on .421 hitting, while Edoardo Pirazzo added nine kills and three block assists. Mauro Verstraeten chipped in seven kills, and Palikapu Wilson contributed three kills and a solo block.

Morningside's offense was directed by Malu Wilcox, who recorded 32 assists and five digs, while Lucca Stoelinga added 15 assists. Defensively, Tucker Juhnke paced the Mustangs with 17 digs as the team totaled 52.

After narrowly dropping the opening set 25-23, Morningside responded with its most efficient stretch of the match in set two. The Mustangs committed just three errors on 28 swings and pulled away behind a balanced attack to even the match at one set apiece.