ST. LOUIS — The closing power of host Missouri Baptist carried it to a 25-18, 25-17, 25-17 volleyball victory Friday evening against Xavier University of Louisiana in the Spartan Invitational.
        The Spartans — No. 1 in the NAIA coaches poll and the defending national champion — scored seven of the final nine points in the first set, eight of the final nine points in the second set and eight of the last 11 points in the third.
        XULA (0-3) suffered its second loss of the day to a ranked opponent. The Gold Nuggets lost in four sets to No. 11 Central Methodist during the afternoon.
        Kennedy Wade and Vivica Price-Spraggins had six kills and a block apiece for XULA. Wade also served two aces. Kendall Mack had three blocks, Linda Mungai had 12 digs, and Semira Blair had 12 assists and 11 digs.
        Giovanna Tapigliani, the 2020-21 CoSIDA Academic NAIA All-America of the Year, hit .343 with 16 kills for the Spartans. The 6-foot-2 graduate student is hitting .429 with 57 kills during Missouri Baptist's current four-match win streak.
        Missouri Baptist outhit XULA .241 to .045.
        XULA's third and final match of this event will start at 10 a.m. Saturday against NAIA No. 20 Lindsey Wilson.

Spartan Invitational
Friday, Sept. 10
Missouri Baptist 3, Lindsey Wilson 1 (29-27, 20-25, 25-16, 25-21)
Central Methodist 3, XULA 1 (25-17, 24-26, 25-17, 25-23)
Lindsey Wilson 3, Central Methodist 1 (31-29, 18-25, 27-25, 25-14)
Missouri Baptist 3, XULA 0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-17)