(Sylvania, OH) The Park University Gilbert men’s volleyball team closed out its Ohio road trip with a 3-0 (25-12, 25-18, 25-16) loss to Lourdes University who is receiving votes in the opening NAIA Coaches poll. This is the match against a team receiving votes in the poll as the Bucs also faced Dordt to open up the season.
The Bucs played this match without senior setter Jake Burdick or graduate outside hitter Xander Thesz who only played briefly in one set as he nurses an injury which has limited his playing time so far this season.
That put the onus on the Bucs young stars as Dominic Smith (8 kills) and Azzlyn Potts (5 kills) led the way for the Bucs offensively. Junior Trevor Ayala in his first year with setting duties had 10 assists on the day. Sophomore Zac York led the team with seven digs.
The Bucs couldn’t stop a potent Lordes offense who hit .500 on the afternoon with 49 kills.
Despite the result, these types of matches will only help gird this young team for what lies ahead in conference play as the GSAC is littered with ranked and receiving vote teams.
The Bucs have its last match for the month this Friday as it takes on Soka University of America this Friday, February 7 at 6 p.m. at Arizona Athletic Grounds. This will be its last match for almost a month as the Bucs will not play again until March 5 when Morningside University will come calling at Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa Arizona.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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