Tigers drop 5-set classic against Missouri Baptist

Georgetown started its weekend in Missouri against the 11th-ranked Missouri Baptist Spartans. The match was tight from start to finish, but the Spartans did just enough to eek out a 5-set win, handing the Tigers their 2nd loss of the season.

In the opening set, the Tigers struggled to find consistent offense, hitting just .154 with only 11 kills. While Missouri Baptist hit .346, the Tigers hung tight for most of the set. The Spartans would gradually build a lead of 23-17 when the Tigers fired back with 4 straight to get within 2. The Tigers would save 1 set point but not a second as the Spartans took the set, 25-22.

In set 2, Georgetown's offense returned to form. The Tigers turned in 12 kills and a .250 hit percentage, while holding the Spartans to .133. With the set tied at 6, Georgetown turned its play up a notch, going on a 6-1 run to assume command of the set and force a Spartan timeout. The Tiger lead would swell to as large as 8 during the set, with the Tigers ultimately taking it, 25-19, to level the match.

Set 3 had an early tone similar to set 2 with the teams trading the first dozen points. With Georgetown leading 7-6, Missouri Baptist scored 5 straight and 8 of 9, to take a 14-8 lead, sending the Tigers into a timeout. Coming out of the timeout, the momentum stayed with the Spartans. The Tigers were unable to put a run together as they dropped the set, 25-18. Missouri Baptist hitting .409 made that Tiger run even more difficult to build.

Set 4 was all Georgetown. The Tigers smashed the ball at a .448 clip (the highest of the night) with 15 kills and only 2 errors. Although the first 16 points were split evenly, the Tigers dominated from there out. Georgetown finished the set on a 17-9 run to win it, 25-17, sending the match the distance.

Georgetown took a 4-2 lead in the 5th, but Missouri Baptist quickly responded to tie the set at 5. The Tigers threw the next counterpunch. Facing an 8-6 deficit, Georgetown scored 4 straight, forcing a Spartans timeout. With an 11-9 lead, Georgetown saw its momentum evaporate as Missouri Baptist scored 3 straight to assume the lead. Georgetown would take back the lead at 13-12, but 2 straight attack errors by the Tigers, followed by a quick MBU kill, ended a terrific match, and MBU took the 5th, 15-13.

Kacper Dobrowolski turned in another 50 assist performance while adding 11 digs. Ryan Gunn threw down 18 kills, 8 digs and 3 blocks. Liam Morrissey added 17 kills and 8 digs. Miguel Vega, the reigning NAIA Defender of the Week, tallied 7 total blocks.