(San Marcos, CA) The Park University Gilbert volleyball team (14-8, 7-4) lost a tough five-set match to the University of Saint Katherine (12-11, 8-3) Thursday evening 3-2 (19-25, 25-19, 25-16, 18-25, 10-15) at the USK Sports Complex in San Marcos, Calif. With the loss, the Buccaneers lost for the first time in history to USK, drop to fourth place in the Cal Pac conference and put their postseason hopes in jeopardy.
The match opened with the Firebirds taking the first set for the fifth time in eight matches against the Buccaneers, but the previous four times, the Buccaneers were able to overcome the deficit to win the match. For a time, it looked as though it might happen again. But for the second time in the last three matches the Buccaneers coughed up a 2-1 set advantage.
Sets two and three saw Park Gilbert pass and attack like a top 25 program as they dominated play and cruised to a 2-1 advantage. The Bucs outhit the Firebirds 26-20 in those two sets and looked as though they might end the match in four sets.
But the big issue for the Buccaneers on the night was their passing. They struggled to consistently put the ball in a good position for their setters, which takes away options within the offense and led to many of the attack errors seen on the stat sheet. USK also played extremely well on both ends of the floor. Offensively, they were led by Addison Metts who led all players with 21 kills. Defensively, the Firebirds had 17 blocks as they won the fourth and fifth sets handily.
The Firebirds won the kill battle 54-53, This was the first match since the Bucs fourth match of the year against Southern Oregon on August 19 where a Bucs opponent had more kills in a match then them. A span of 18 matches. The 54 kills by USK were 30 more than its total in the previous matchup earlier in the year in Arizona.
Individually, Amanda Jonovich posted her third double-double of the season and the 15th of her career with 16 kills and 21 digs which tied a career high set last year against USK. Maggie Scranton added 12 kills and hit .286. Hattie Patton led all players with 24 digs.
Park Gilbert gets to attempt to right the ship tomorrow night as they take on Providence Christian at 7 p.m. in Pasadena, Calif. The Buccaneers won against the Sea Beggars in three sets earlier this season but won in five sets with PCC last year on the road.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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