(Irvine, CA) The Park University Gilbert volleyball team lost a tough five-set match to Westcliff this evening 3-2 (18-25, 25-16, 25-14, 16-25, 11-15). The loss drops the Bucs to 3-6 overall and 1-2 in California Pacific Conference play.
This was not your typical five-set in match in that none of the sets were really all that close. To have every one of the first four sets end with a winning margin of seven or points by the team who won the set is unusual. Especially with these two squads who played an instant classic in the Cal Pac Tournament Championship game last season.
Both teams are markedly different this season with new head coaches and new players, but the competitiveness remained.
Offensively, the Bucs had a breakthrough in this contest with 58 kills and hitting .231. Westcliff almost matched the Bucs with 55 kills, had had a slightly higher hitting percentage (.260). Park posted 11 aces, led by three each from Lexi Golleher and Megan Hicks. Hicks also led the squad with three blocks.
Railey Druxman set a new career high for kills with 19 and tied her career high for digs with 22. She last posted 22 digs in the Bucs first round match with Marion in the NAIA tournament last season.
Porsche Bauer and Kyle Knight each had 10 kills on the right side. This was the second double-digit kill contest for both players who also both had 11 kills earlier in the season.
The Bucs will attempt to break their two-game losing streak tomorrow night at Antelope Valley as they’re continue their three-game road trip in southern California. Game time in Lancaster, Calif. tomorrow is 5 p.m.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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