A Team of Champions – MBU Women’s Volleyball

Written by MBU Timeline on November 19, 2021. Posted in Media, Sports

The 2020 NAIA Women’s Volleyball National Champions end the regular season with a 24-2 record. After the winning season, four players earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors this week: Giovanna Tapigliani, Isidora Stojovic, Manuela Vargas and Ariana Macies. As the Spartans open the first round of this season’s National Championship games, MBU photojournalists captured some victorious memories for the defending champions.

Junior Kaili Smith, the 5-foot-11 opposite hitter for the Spartans, battles the opposing team to spike the ball over the net in a game at the Carl and Deloris Petty Sports and Recreation Complex. Photo by Emily Heflin

: Giovanna Tapigliani smiles while surrounded by her teammates. Photo by Madisyn House

: Outside hitter Maria Hanusik, middle blocker Raylyn Dodd, and opposite hitter Kaili Smith block a spike from the opposing team. Photo by Hamin Lee

: Maria Hanusik and Natalie Edson squat in anticipation of the ball. Photo by Madisyn House

: Julianne Ortiz attempts to hit the ball back toward the opponents’ side. Photo by Autumn Heaton

: Sara Klunder looks up and gets ready to hit the ball. Photo by Madisyn House

: Emma Lattimore throws the ball to serve. Photo by Emily Heflin

: Maeve Coulter tosses the ball up prior to serve in practice. Photo by Carter Mize

: Isidora Stojovic smiles at her teammates. Photo by Madisyn House

: Raylyn Dodd spikes the ball over the net. Photo by Emily Heflin

: The Spartans huddle before the start of the game. Photo by Emily Heflin

: Maeve Coulter, a 5-foot-8-inch opposite hitter, skies high for a block during practice. Photo by Jason Harman

: Ariana Macies saves the ball as her team watches. Photo by Emily Heflin

: St. Louis native middle blocker, Breyanna Howard, goes up for a big block during practice. Photo by Jason Harman

: Giovanna Tapigliani prepares to spike the ball over the net. Photo by Emily Heflin

: Nathiellen Machado looks at the ball just before she hits it. Photo by Emily Heflin

: Sara Klunder, Kirsten van der Vleuten and Isidora Stojovic gather as the team talks during a time out. Photo by Hamin Lee

: Sara Klunder spikes the ball over the net. Photo by Emily Heflin

: Maria Hanusik jumps to serve the ball. Photo by Emily Heflin

: Defensive specialist Nathiellen Machado talks with coach Chris Nichols. Photo by Hamin Lee

: The women’s volleyball team celebrates as they score a point. Photo by Hamin Lee

: Opposite hitter Kaili Smith sets for middle blocker Raylyn Dodd as she is about to spike the ball. Photo by Hamin Lee

: Freshman setter Kara Hollingsworth warms up before practice. Photo by Jason Harman

: Isidora Stojovic looks up as she hits the ball. Photo by Emily Heflin

: Kaili Smith holds the ball as she prepares to serve. Photo by Emily Heflin

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Building Confidence and a Winning Team During a Pandemic

Written by Emily Heflin on March 24, 2021. Posted in Sports

The women’s volleyball team at Missouri Baptist University has used this season during COVID-19 to grow as a team and as individuals. Led by Coach Chris Nichols, the team quickly approaches competing in the postseason as one of the best teams in the nation.

Balancing homework and sports is challenging for any student-athlete, especially during a pandemic. The women’s volleyball team at MBU has successfully learned to adapt and have found success on and off the court. Photo courtesy of MBU Athletics

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MBU’s All-American Athlete from Italy

Written by Sarah Broyles on April 24, 2019. Posted in Sports

Caterina Cigarini, 23, has known since she was 12 years old that she would play volleyball, but the sport has brought much more to her life than she originally imagined. Now, as her collegiate volleyball career comes to a close, she is taking a look back at the relationships she made and the lessons she learned during her time as a Spartan.

Caterina Cigarini celebrates a scored point against Texas Wesleyan University with teammates during the NAIA Women’s Volleyball National Championship in Sioux City, Iowa, in 2019. Cigarini would post a season-high 22 kills to help lead the Spartans to a 3-2 victory. Photos courtesy of MBU Athletics

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Setting the Bar for Success

Written by Derek Zimmerman-Guyer on September 24, 2018. Posted in Sports

The Spartan women’s volleyball team has had a large amount of success since the 2005 season, as they have become a pillar of consistency at Missouri Baptist University.

Photos courtesy of University Communications

The Missouri Baptist University women’s volleyball team stands for the singing of the national anthem before their season home opener. The Spartans are currently enjoying a 14-game winning streak.