(Fullerton, CA) The Park University Gibert volleyball team fought hard but dropped a five-set match to Hope International University 3-2 (19-25, 25-23, 29-27, 15-25, 8-15) at Darling Pavilion in Fullerton, Calif. The Bucs drop to 4-3 overall and 0-3 in the Great Southwest Athletic Conference (GSAC).
The Royals handled things in the first set with 13 kills and a.273 hitting percentage to only nine kills and a .129 percentage.
The Buccaneers responded in the second set as they doubled their kills with 18 putaways and held the Royals to 10 kills. Leila Lee led the way in the set with seven kills. The Bucs had to hold off a late rally after holding a 24-20 advantage to take the second frame 25-23.
The third set was even more of a barnburner as the Bucs took a 29-27 third set. The Bucs staved off five set points, including four from down 24-20. Daniella Miranda-Johnson had two service aces and Taylor Van Winklehad a kill in the comeback and Leila Lee had two kills down the stretch to help seal the third set win.
HIU responded with a solid fourth set hitting .387. The Bucs had eight kills and did not commit and error, but it was not enough as the Bucs fell 25-15.
The fifth set saw HIU jump out to an 8-1 lead and cruise home to 15-8 final set triumph. The Bucs hit negatively in the final set with three kills and five errors.
Overall, the Bucs finished with 51 kills and hit .142 with 26 errors. The Royals had 59 kills and 25 errors as they hit .187.
The Bucs struggled in the return game allowing 22 aces. But the Bucs put up a season high 87 digs including a career high 28 for Leilani Pollard and 23 Taylor Van Winkle. The 28 for Pollard were one off the school record of 29 set by three different players.
Leila Lee also set a career high with 18 kills while hitting .438, while Porsche Bauer tied her career high with 11 kills and hit .300.
Setter Makenna Roberts posted a double-double with 16 assists and 11 digs.
The Bucs return home to take on The Master’s University on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. at Arizona Athletic Grounds.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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