(Mesa, AZA familiar opponent returned to face the Park University Gilbert volleyball team at Arizona Athletic Grounds Thursday night. Former California Pacific Conference foe Providence Christian College returned to Mesa, Ariz., in the first of a home-at-home matchup with the Buccaneers. Park Gilbert won the opening salvo 3-0, (25-19, 25-17, 25-17) to move to 3-0 on the season, the first 3-0 start in program history.
The Buccaneers are now 8-0 all-time against the Sea Beggars, winning seven of the eight all-time contests in straight sets. Despite the seemingly lopsided match scores, PCC always plays the Bucs tough and today was no different as it jumped out in front first in all three sets before Park Gilbert was able to methodically wear them down and come back to win the sets handily.
The Bucs posted 13 service aces to help the cause along with eight blocks and 49 digs. They also hit .226 on the evening on 32 kills.
Providence Christian actually had more kills (33) than Park, but the Buccaneers were more efficient with only 11 errors to 21 for the Beggars.
The middles ruled the evening as junior Mallory Turner led the way again with 10 kills and only three errors and two of the three errors came within the first three points of the match. She hit .412 on the evening. Freshman middle Chariyah Curry added seven kills with only one error and hit .500. She also added six blocks.
Setters Daniella Miranda-Johnson (15) and Makenna Roberts (13) combined for 28 assists, while Libero Leilani Pollard (12) and defensive specialist Isari Vigil (11) combined for 23 digs.
Up next for the Bucs is the start of conference play as they host OUAZ on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. at Arizona Athletic Grounds. The rematch with PCC is next Thursday, Sept. 26 in Pasadena, Calif., ahead of the Bucs two game conference slate with Life Pacific and Hope International.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
Click on Logo
