PARKVILLE, Mo. – The Park University Gilbert men's volleyball team (2-4) split two matches on day one of the 2020 Pirate Invitational in Parkville, Mo., losing to Briar Cliff 3-0 (25-16, 27-25, 25-16). In the first match before coming back and beating Morningside College in the second match 3-1 (25-19, 16-25, 25-23, 25-23).
"They did a nice job of coming back and continuing to play hard in the second match," said Park Gilbert head coach Clay Webb. "I really like the mettle of this group. They keep fighting."
Briar Cliff who is receiving votes in the latest NAIA top 10 volleyball poll got off to a strong start in the first match and never really looked back. The Buccaneers made it a tight set two, but the Chargers cruised in set three to take the straight sets victory.
Trent Williams led the Bucs with 12 kills while hitting .172. Middle blocker Xander Thesz and outside hitter Andrew Libby each had 5 kills.
Match two had a little drama to it as the two squads split the first two sets by a 25-16 count. Then the last two sets provided anticipation and thrills down the stretch as the Bucs pulled off two 25-23 wins to take the match.
Libby took over in this contest putting away a season and career high 18 kills with a .368 percentage. Williams followed up his match one performance with another 13 putaways in match two. Tyler Yu seeing his first action of the season had 12 digs to provide an important defensive presence in the back row. Kye Heaton was amazing setting up his teammates recording a season and career high 49 assists. He also was second in digs with seven for the contest.
Things do not get any easier for the Bucs on day two. They matchup with two top 10 programs as they meet No. 10 Ottawa University (Kan.) (11:30 a.m.) in match one and then the hosts No. 6 Park University (Mo.) (2 p.m.) in the finale.
