PARKVILLE, Mo. – The Park University Gilbert men's volleyball team finished the 2020 Pirate Invitational 1-3 after dropping two matches on Saturday to No. 10 Ottawa University (Kan) 3-1 and No. 6 Park University. 3-0. The Buccaneers (2-6) split their two Friday matchups losing to Briar Cliff, who received votes in the last poll, 3-0 and beating Morningside College 3-1
In the first game on Saturday, the Bucs put a scare into the No. 10 team in the country, keeping the match tight in the final three sets, even stealing set three from the Braves before falling 17-25, 21-25, 26-24, 20-25. Trent Williams led the way with 17 kills, and eight digs while hitting .237. Middle Blocker Xander Thesz had eight kills, hitting .467 with four blocks. Setter Kye Heaton dished out 39 assists.
In the finale, it was a "Park University" matchup featuring the host Pirates and visiting Buccaneers. The Bucs played a strong first set holding leads of 5-1, 7-2, and 10-8 before the Pirates went on an 8-0 run to take control and ultimately won the set 25-21. After that, the Pirates only trailed one more time, 1-0 at the start of set three. The final count was a 25-21, 25-16, 25-19 win for the Pirates over the Bucs.
For the weekend, Williams dominated play for the Buccaneers with 52 kills, hitting .208 with 24 digs and six blocks. Outside hitter Andrew Libby had a breakout weekend with 33 putaways over the four matches with 16 digs and 10 blocks. Heaton had 135 assists, including a career high 49 in the matchup with Morningside. He also led the team defensively with 25 kills. Thesz led the way in the middle with 28 kills and a team high 12 blocks.
Upcoming this week, Park Gilbert hosts a triangular with Simpson University and Arizona Christian at "The Nest." Simpson is 0-7 under first year head coach David Irving. They are led by outside hitter Steven Brasher who has 59 kills over their first seven matches.
Park Gilbert faced off with Arizona Christian a couple weeks ago with the Bucs coming out on top 3-0. The Firebirds are 0-5 with two matchups against Westcliff and Ottawa (Ariz.) on tap this week before the triangular. Nate Mayfield leads the Firebirds with 37 kills, Justin Espinoza has dished out 63 assists, Fatai Akolade has been their defensive stalwart with 28 digs and Brenden Hardt has 16 total blocks to lead the front row defense.
The Buccaneers will face off with Simpson at 10 a.m. followed by Simpson taking on Arizona Christian at noon before the Bucs and Firebirds have their rematch in the day's finale at 1:30 p.m.
PIRATE INVITATIONAL RESULTS
Briar Cliff def. Park University Gilbert, 3-0 (25-16, 27-25, 25-16)
Park University Gilbert def, Morningside, 3-1 (25-19, 16-25, 25-23, 25-23)
No. 10 Ottawa (Kan) def. Park University Gilbert, 3-1 (25-17, 25-21, 24-26, 25-20)
No. 6 Park (Mo.) def. Park University Gilbert 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-19)
UPCOMING
Saturday, February 15 - Park University Gilbert vs. Simpson University, 10 a.m., The Nest
Saturday, February 15 - Park University Gilbert vs. Arizona Christian, 1:30 p.m., The Nest
