(Glendale, AZ) The Park University Gilbert men’s volleyball team closed out its 2025 campaign with a 3-1 (19-25, 26-28, 25-18, 27-19) loss against Arizona Christian this evening at the Firestorm Recreation Center.
While Park Gilbert’s final record may not wow you, the Bucs made tremendous strides this year with a talented freshman crop of players which is poised to lead a Buccaneer resurgence. Tonight’s match is proof positive the train is moving in the right direction for head coach Vince Zanzucchi.
The Bucs had three set points in the second set and then after winning the third set, held another set point in the fourth. If things had fallen differently, the Bucs could have walked away with a 3-1 win tonight.
Graduate Xander Thesz closed out his Buccaneer career with a flourish pounding a career high 19 kills in his last match in a Buccaneer uniform, Thesz closes his career as the Bucs all-time leader in Kills with 452. Not bad for a player who played three years as a middle blocker and his last year on the right side.
Thesz also tied his career high for aces in a match with five tonight. He is the all-time leader in aces with 43 for his career. In addition, he added to his career leading totals in block assists (112), total blocks (137) and total points (576).
Many of those totals might be in jeopardy with the young talent the Bucs have coming back for over the next few years. Led by Dominic Smith, the Bucs future is bright. Smith rewrote not only the freshman record book but the many of the single season records held by experienced veterans.
Smith set a record for kills in single season with 213 putaways. This was 29 more than the previous record held by Trent Williams (184, 2020). He also set the record for attacks (540, prev. 505, Williams) and total points (234, prev. 213.5 Williams), Smith is the first Buccaneer to eclipse 200 kills in a season. He had 11 matches with 10 or more kills which was the second best total in a season in school history.
Freshman Azzlyn Potts had 120 kills on the year which is ninth best in school history and the third best by a freshman. His 378 attacks is fifth best in season and second best by a freshman.
Sophomore Jonah Baich is only the second player in school history with 20 or more aces in a season and his 46 total blocks is second best in a season in school history. He is already third all-time in total blocks in school history with 66.
Sophomore Zac York’s 126 digs this season is third best for a single season in school history.
The Bucs will miss setter and leader Jake Burdick who finishes his career with the second most assists in school history and he missed many games last year and this year with injury and other commitments.
With a core of top shelf young talent and solid recruiting class incoming the 2026 version of the Buccaneer men’s volleyball team will be a force to recon with for opponents.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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