(Prescott, AZ) The Park University Gilbert volleyball team lost a tough five-set match at Embry Riddle this evening 3-2 (21-25, 21-25, 25-21, 25-23, 6-15). The Bucs fall to 12-13 overall and 10-9 in Cal Pac play.
This was a high quality match as both teams showcased potent offenses throughout the night and it was evidenced in the score and the stats. Both teams hit over .200 and both teams had over 55 kills. The difference may have come due to the Eagles defense in the back row as they had 80 digs compared 67 for the Bucs.
In set one the Bucs controlled play and held the lead for most of the set and even as late as 19-18, but ERAU went on a 6-0 run to take command and ultimately win the set. Both teams had 16 kills in the set, but the Eagles were just slightly cleaner in the error department only making two errors to the Bucs five.
Set two was a see-saw back and forth battle up to 15-all. Then ERAU started to creep ahead and built a three-point advantage they would not relinquish and would win the set by four. The kills were virtually even (11-10 ERAU) and so were the errors (7-6 Park).
The third and fourth sets were equally as close, but this time it was the Bucs who made fewer errors while the kills were neck-and-neck. In set three it was the Bucs who took control at 14-all, pushing ahead to a three-point lead and holding on for the four-point win.
Then in set four it was even closer. ERAU had the early lead before Park came back and took its own five-point lead. Then it was the Eagles who made a run to finally comeback and tie things at 22-22. The Bucs would win three of the last four points to send the match to a fifth and deciding set.
The Bucs have one reverse sweep on its resume this season, but they were unable to make it two as ERAU went on a 14-3 run to end the match after the Park had opened the stanza with a 3-1 lead. The cleanness of the third and fourth sets went away and the Bucs were unable to generate the kills needed to keep things close in the final set.
While losing this fantastic match, a few Bucs either set or tied personal or school records on the evening. Makayla Simmons tied the school record for most digs in a match with 29. She tied the mark held by Gabriela Morales and Hattie Patton. With her total tonight she also moves into fourth place all-time on the Bucs digs list passing Jenifer Lauer. Railey Druxman went over the 600 dig mark for her career as she is already second on the all-time digs list in just her second season.
Druxman also moved into second place on the all-time aces list this evening after her second ace. She now sits eight aces away from becoming the all-time leader and when she does break the record she will also become the first player in Park history with 100 aces. Druxman also had her second career 20-plus kill contest as she had 20 kills on the evening.
Daniella Miranda-Johnson set a new career high for assists with 44 which is tied for the fifth most in a match in school history.
Maggie Scranton also set a career high for kills with 16 in the match. Her previous high was 13.
The Bucs close out the regular season this Saturday at home against Benedictine Mesa. It is senior day and the senior day festivities will start at 5:45 pm with the match slated to commence at 6 p.m. The Bucs will then travel to participate in the Cal Pac Volleyball Championships held at Saint Katherine Nov. 9-11.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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