(Mesa, AZ) The Park University Gilbert volleyball team (5-7, 1-4) defeated the Justice University Lions (1-9, 0-0) by a score of 3-1, Tuesday evening at Arizona Athletic Grounds.
The Buccaneers now move to 5-0 all-time against Justice, defeating the Lions in four sets (23-25, 25-15, 25-20, 25-20). Tuesday marked the first time Park-Gilbert head coach Pisila Tukia faced off against a former Buccaneer now in the coaching ranks: Jessica Goldsmith (Class of 2025).
After dropping a tight first set, the Buccaneers opened the second set with a 12-4 lead they never surrendered. The third set proved to be more competitive, with neither team holding more than a five-point lead. Park-Gilbert got its first double-digit lead of the match late in the fourth set when the Buccaneers went up 20-10, but the Lions applied pressure scoring seven of the next 10 points before Park put the match to rest.
Offensively it was Lainey Calvary who led the way for Park with a season-high 15 kills Tuesday night while logging an efficient .326 hitting percentage. Kyla Knight also recorded double-digit kills Tuesday evening, recording 11 kills on 26 total attacks.
Setter Adrianna DeMario had her fifth double-double of the year, leading the team Tuesday in assists (36) and digs (14). DeMario logged her season-high in digs, and was four kills away from a triple-double. Molly Aikensalso made plenty of impact on the defensive end with five total blocks.
TEAM STATS
| Set | Justice | Park-Gilbert (AZ) | |||||||
| K | E | TA | % | K | E | TA | % | ||
| 1 | 12 | 6 | 42 | .143 | 14 | 8 | 40 | .150 | |
| 2 | 3 | 8 | 35 | -.143 | 10 | 7 | 27 | .111 | |
| 3 | 12 | 8 | 38 | .105 | 17 | 5 | 45 | .267 | |
| 4 | 9 | 7 | 30 | .067 | 12 | 4 | 28 | .286 | |
| 36 | 29 | 145 | .048 | 53 | 24 | 140 | .207 | ||
INDIVIDUAL STATS
| Kills | Calvary, Lainey (15), Knight, Kyla (11), Lick, Hayven (8) |
| Aces | DeMario, Adrianna (3), Calvary, Lainey (3), Hice, Athena (2) |
| Blocks | Aikens, Molly (5.0), Knight, Kyla (3.0), Calvary, Lainey (3.0) |
| Assists | DeMario, Adrianna (36), Vila, Miyah (4), Knight, Kyla (2) |
| Digs | DeMario, Adrianna (14), Bauer, Porsche (8), Winfield, Alyssa (8) |
UP NEXT
After a pair of non-conference battles, the Buccaneers resume Great Southwest Athletic Conference play as Park-Gilbert hosts the OUAZ Spirit (8-4, 4-0) this Friday, Sept. 25 at Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Ariz., at 6 p.m. MST. The Spirit currently sit atop the GSAC Standings, with no other team holding an undefeated record in conference play.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Garrett Campbell
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