Sixth-ranked Lourdes began a stretch of three matches in four days against the top teams in NAIA on Monday afternoon, dropping a 25-23, 31-29, 26-24 decision to third-ranked Missouri Baptist at the Petty Sports and Recreation Complex in Saint Louis, Mo.
 
The Gray Wolves hit just .152 for the afternoon while the Spartans swung at a .219 clip.  Missouri Baptist also outdug Lourdes 31-28 and outblocked the Gray Wolves 9-6 on the day.
 
"We did not play a clean match today," head coach Greg Reitz said afterwards.  "Our play was just a big off and against a quality opponent it can't be."
 
Lourdes trailed 24-19 in the opening set before battling back to pull within one, only to see the Spartans close out the set.  The Gray Wolves led 18-13 in set two before the Spartans tied the stanza at 19.  The set saw 17 total ties before the hosts pulled out the win, taking a 2-0 lead in the match.  In the third, Lourdes led 15-10 and led until 24-23 before the Spartans tallied the final three points to secure the victory.
 
Zachary Hawkins (Dickinson, Texas/Dickinson H.S.) led Lourdes with 12 kills while Colby Magorien (Agoura Hills, Calif./Westlake H.S.) added 10 more.
 
Defensively, CJ Rilveria (Kula, Hawaii/Kekaullike H.S.) led all players with 13 digs while Ryan Maune (Washington, Mo./Saint Francis Borgia H.S.) was involved in five blocks.
 
Mico Janicijevic led Missouri Baptist (15-2) with 17 kills while Cameron Hibbler led the Spartans with seven digs.
 
Lourdes (13-5) will return to action on Wednesday evening, traveling to Parkville, Mo. to battle Park.  First serve is set for 8 p.m. EST at the Breckton Sports Center.