(Chula Vista, CA) The Park University Gilbert women’s beach volleyball team dropped two matches in pool play at the NAIA West Qualifier in Chula Vista, Calif., today, dropping its opener to Southern Oregon 5-0 and the second contest to No. 9 Westcliff 4-1.
The two losses eliminate the Bucs from reaching the semifinals as the top two teams in the each pool move on to the semifinals. Southern Oregon and Westcliff are both 2-0, while Park and Bushnell are both 0-2 ahead of their match tomorrow morning.
The No. 2 pair of Nichole Gary and Grace Baker won the Bucs only match of the day against Westcliff. After dropping the first set 21-18, the Bucs all-conference duo came back to win sets two and three 21-13 and 15-11.
The Westcliff match saw the Bucs play two other three-set matches losing 15-9 in the final set at the No. 3 flight (Taylor Van Winkle/Jess Goldsmith) and 15-11 at No. 5 (Avery Turk/Eliza Pearson).
The Bucs close out the qualifier tomorrow with its third pool play match against Bushnell. The Bucs split the season series with the Beacons back in February, losing the first match 3-2 on February 9, but coming back a day later to win 3-2.
Gary and Baker Named to Cal Pac All-Conference Team
Park University Gilbert’s No. 2 team of Nichole Gary and Grace Baker were named to the 2024 California Pacific Conference All-Conference team. It is the first all-conference nod for both players.
The duo were the Buccaneers best team all season, posting 16-10 record entering postseason play. The duo had went undefeated in conference play, beating teams from ranked opponents No. 6 Saint Katherine and No. 9 Westcliff. They also owned wins against No. 1 OUAZ, No. 3 Arizona Christian and NCAA Division II Wayne State. They added a postseason win against Westcliff in the first round of the NAIA West Qualifier.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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