(Mesa, AZ) The Park University Gilbert volleyball team got off to a strong start but could not hold off Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, losing in four tough sets 3-1 (25-18, 26-28, 21-25, 19-25). The Bucs fall to 5-8 overall and 3-4 in the California Pacific Conference. ERAU ups its mark to 9-7 overall and 5-2 in conference.
The Bucs got off to a great start with a near perfect first set with 17 kills and no errors hitting .486 to take the opening frame 25-18.
The second set saw the Bucs look as though they were going to keep the good times going as they held a 15-8 lead midway through the set. A 9-2 ERAU run tied the contest at 17-all and then it was a battle to the finish of the set. Park had the first set point at 24-23, but back-to-back Eagle kills forced a Buccaneer time out. The Bucs staved off the first Eagle set point but consecutive double hits called on Park setter Uma Lorentzen ended the set.
In the early part of the third set, it looked as though the Bucs were still thinking about what was lost in the second and the Eagles jumped out to a 9-3 advantage. Park was able to cut into the lead but was never able to get it closer than three points and they ultimately fell by four.
The second and third sets saw more errors creep into the Buc offense as they committed 11 errors (5, 6) over the two stanzas. They were still cleaner than ERAU who had 16 errors in the same time frame but had nine more kills (31-22).
The fourth set saw more of the same as Embry Riddle had more errors (7-6) but more kills (12-10) as they finished off the match with a 25-19 win.
Overall, ERAU had 57 kills to only 49 for Park, and had more errors (28-17). The Buccaneers also had a higher hitting percentage (.213-.164).
Railey Druxman led the team with 13 kills and posted her fourth career 20-plus dig match with 20. Meanwhile, Maggie Scranton added a season high 12 kills and hit an impressive .346.
With senior setter Daniella Miranda-Johnson still on the sideline due to injury, the two freshman setters Chloe Thomas (23) and Uma Lorentzen (19) combined for 42 assists.
The Buccaneers return to court next week as the northern California schools will pay them a visit. The Bucs host Simpson (Sept. 28), Pacific Union (Sept. 29) and UC Merced (Sept. 30). They hope to get back on the winning track as the Bucs have never lost to these three schools in their history.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
Click on Logo
