(Mesa, AZ) If all you did was look at the stat sheet, you would have thought the Park University Gilbert volleyball team won its matchup tonight against Benedictine Mesa at Bell Bank Park in Mesa, Ariz. But as they say, the only thing that matters is the score on the scoreboard and the Redhawks won the key points in the fourth and fifth sets to walk away with a win against the Buccaneers. With the win the Redhawks remain one game behind first place Westcliff and now own a two-game lead on the Buccaneers.
In the first set, it was tight early, then BENU started on put some distance between them on the scoreboard. After taking a 10-7 lead, the margin never dropped below two points and eventually BENU put the set away 25-19. Both teams committed five errors, but the Redhawks had three more kills and three service aces. Those six points turned out to be the difference.
The second and third sets saw Park Gilbert return to the form it showed last week in northern California. Only two errors in each set and 30 kills total led to easy 25-11 and 25-17 wins. But towards the end of the fourth set with the Bucs up 18-10. Benedictine started to show some life as they played the Bucs even down the stretch as they tried to build momentum going into the fourth.
The fourth set was a back-and-forth battle which saw the lead exchange hands five times. With a 22-21 lead the Bucs were three points away from a four-set victory. But a BENU kill tied it and then three straight Bucs errors gave the set to the Redhawks. Park Gilbert committed 10 attack errors and a setting error which ultimately doomed their chances.
The Bucs once again had the lead in the fifth set at the halfway point, 8-7 when they switched sides. But after the switch, BENU turn on a switch and went on an 8-3 run to finish the set and the match to win its first match against the Buccaneers since the 2020-21 season.
The Buccaneers led in kills (65-51), attack percentage (.326-.207) assists (64-48), and digs 65-41. But faltered in the key moments which cost them a victory tonight.
Individually, Amanda Jonovich had 18 kills, Miranda Bacon and Railey Druxman each had 10 and Druxman posted her fifth double-double of the season as she led the team with 19 digs. Makenna Busse had nine kills and five blocks. Mallory Turner did not make an error with her eight kills and hit .727, the sixth-best percentage in school history. Annika Wallaceled the setting trio with 26 of the 64 helpers tonight.
The Buccaneers don’t have any time to wallow in tonight’s loss, as they get right back on the horse traveling to Prescott, Ariz., to take on Embry-Riddle tomorrow night starting at 6 p.m.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
Click on Logo
