GILBERT, Ariz. -- The Park University Gilbert Beach Volleyball team opened their inaugural season with two wins, beating South Mountain Community College 5-0 and Arizona Christian 3-2 at Mesquite Beach in Gilbert. The Buccaneers (2-0) started strong in both matches and used strong play from their No. 2, and 3 teams to win each match.
"I am extremely please with getting two wins today," said head coach Carlos Flys. "I thought we were a little nervous in spots early on, but we rose to the occasion and came up with key plays when we needed it."
Match 1 – Park University Gilbert vs. South Mountain CC – Mesquite Beach, Gilbert, Ariz.
Park University Gilbert 5, South Mountain CC 0 (Order of Finish 5, 4, 2*, 3, 1)
The Bucs were gifted the No. 5 match as SMCC had to forfeit due to not having enough players. Outside of a shaky second set by Georgia Romain-Black and Kendra Zuckerman the Bucs did not lose another set en route to a comfortable 5-0 win against the Coyotes.
1) Miranda Bacon/Kylie Thompson (PUG) def. Mikaila Williams/Kaley Hosler (SMCC), 2-0 (21-17, 21-11)
2) Layni Rodriguez/Lexie Taylor (PUG) def. Madison Wampler/Danica Derrick (SMCC), 2-0 (21-4, 21-13)
3) Jennider Lauer/Asha Harris (PUG) def. Alyssa McDowell/Liz Clemit (SMCC), 2-0 (27-25, 21-15)
4) Georgia Romaine-Black/Kendra Zuckerman (PUG) def. Qincy Dalley/Erin Ende (SMCC), 2-1 (21-10, 9-21, 15-7)
5) Claire Fisher/Kayla Wieserman (PUG) def. No Opponent (SMCC), Forfeit
Match 3 – Park University Gilbert vs. Arizona Christian – Mesquite Beach, Gilbert, Ariz.
Park University Gilbert 3, Arizona Christian 2 (Order of Finish: 5, 4*, 3, 2, 1)
Flys switched his No. 4 and 5 teams for the match against ACU. Romaine-Black and Zuckerman rewarded him with a 2-0 win at No. 5 (21-16, 21-16). Fisher and Wieserman won a tough first set 28-26, but fell in three sets to knot the contest at 1-1. The No. 3 team of Lauer and Harris cruised to a 2-0 win to put the Bucs on the brink of a win. But it would not come easy. The No. 2 team of Rodriguez and Taylor lost the first set 21-17, and as they came back to win the second and send things to the penultimate third, the No. 1 team of Bacon and Thompson lost their first set 21-18 after trailing 11-3 early. Ultimately the match was decided in the Rodriguez/Taylor match. The Buccaneers never trailed, but after building an 11-5 lead, allowed the Firestorm to come back and tie the match. But Park Gilbert won 4 or the last 5 points to seal away the match.
1) Aubri Green/Marin Samanigo (ACU) def. Miranda Bacon/Kylie Thompson (PUG), 2-0 (21-17, 21-11)
2) Layni Rodriguez/Lexie Taylor (PUG) def. Issabella Martell/Brittany Western (ACU), 2-0 (17-21, 21-16, 15-12)
3) Jennifer Lauer/Asha Harris (PUG) def. Maddie Lapierre/Annabelle Camoirano (ACU) , 2-0 (21-18, 21-14)
4) Shayna Timson/Alyssa Fierro (ACU) def. Claire Fisher/Kayla Wieserman (PUG), 2-1 (26-28, 21-16, 15-7)
5) Georgia Romaine-Black/Kendra Zuckerman (PUG) def. ,Amia Forrnell/Adi Dolan (ACU) 2-0, (21-16, 21-16)
