(Mesa, AZ) The Park University Gilbert men’s volleyball team lost 3-1 (17-25, 18-25, 27-25, 19-25) to Arizona Christian this evening at Arizona Athletic Grounds.
The Buccaneers (1-12, 0-5) continue its upward climb in terms of performance but still haven’t found the formula to get them over the top against the top drawer competition it s facing in the GSAC conference.
The Bucs got off to a slow start in the first set with only four kills against seven errors to hit a -.130. The Firestorm had eight errors in the first frame, but they posted 13 kills.
The Bucs improved dramatically in the second set with 12 kills to only five errors, but ACU also upped its play with 14 kills and only one error.
Over its last few matches, Park Gilbert has played its best ball in the third set. They took the third set against BENU and held set points in the third set last night against OUAZ. Tonight was no different as the Bucs opened a seven-point lead (14-7) and then a six-point advantage (19-13). Things looked as though they might not be too difficult for the Bucs to close out the third but ACU had other ideas.
The Firestorm went on a 5-0 run to cut the lead to one (19-18) and then the two teams engaged in a see-saw battle which saw both teams hold set points before the Buccaneers closed things out with a kill, a block and an ACU attack error to take the third set 27-25.
Park Gilbert could not maintain the momentum in the fourth set as ACU utilized an 11-5 run midway through the set to open a six-point lead they would hold onto to close out the match 25-19 in the final frame.
Opposite Xander Thesz led the team with 14 kills followed by Azzlyn Potts with nine. Setter Trevor Ayala who was subbing for normal setter Jake Burdick set a career high with 35 assists.
Three Bucs posted nine digs as Ayala, Potts and libero Zac York each had a solid defensive effort on the evening.
The Bucs now return to non-conference action on Monday, March 24 as the University of Jamestown comes to Arizona Athletic Grounds for a matchup starting at 6 p.m.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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