The Park University Gilbert beach volleyball team kept the ball rolling on Thursday afternoon in Mesa, Ariz. They dropped a contest 5-0 to NCAA D2 Wayne State College, but won 3-2 a nailbiter in a crucial conference match against Benedictine Mesa.
Game 1- Wayne State College 5, Park Gilbert 0
In match one, the Buccaneers had their hands full against their D2 opponents who have dominated NAIA competition over the last few days. Despite the higher-ranked opposition, the Buccaneers were competitive and made the Wildcats work for their wins.
One of five Buccaneers pairs, Georgia Romine-Black and Grace Hughes (No. 4's) took a set from their opponents; they won the first set, 21-19, but fell in the next two. They were the second pair to finish on the day after the No. 2's (Megan Hicks/Annika Wallace) loss and just before the No. 1's (Miranda Bacon/Jenifer Lauer) were swept to clinch the match for the Wildcats.
The Buccaneers' No. 3's (Giuliana Kala'l Irvine/Haylee Kroczynski) and No. 5's (Gabriela Morales/Jasmine Urban) also gave their opponents a run for their money. Irvine and Kroczynski scored 19 points in each set, while Morales and Urban forced their opponents to score 25 points before they could secure a victory.
Game 2- Park Gilbert 3, Benedictine Mesa 2
With the Buccaneers' striving to be the conference's top dog, matches like today's against Benedictine Mesa are crucial. Like the Buccaneers, the Redhawks are also receiving votes toward the national standings and are contenders for the Cal Pac crown.
On Thursday afternoon, the Buccaneers got the edge against a formidable opponent to pick up their second conference win. In the process, they overcame some adversity. Things looked grim early on as the No. 2's (Megan Hicks/Annika Wallace) and No. 5's (Gabriela Morales/Jasmine Urban) dropped their matches and put the Buccaneers behind, 0-2.
Luckily, the 1's, 3's and 4's were able to pull out victories and steal a win for the Buccaneers. The comeback started with sweeps by the No. 4's (Georgia Romine-Black/Grace Hughes) and No. 1's (Miranda Bacon/Jenifer Lauer); the latter pair surrendered just nine points in the first set.
Then, it was the No. 3's (Giuliana Kala'l Irvine/Haylee Kroczynski) who completed the comeback. In dramatic fashion, they won a competitive match that went three sets. The second set required extra points (23-21) and was tight until the bitter end with a 15-12 finish in set three.
The Buccaneers are now 4-2 on the season and 2-1 in conference play.
What's Next: The Buccaneers play again tomorrow in Scottsdale, Ariz at Scottsdale Ranch Park. They start off with a rematch against Wayne State College at 11 a.m. before playing No. 1 ranked Ottawa (Ariz.) at 12 p.m.
Park University Gilbert vs. Wayne State College (12:30 p.m.)
FINAL: Wayne State 5, Park Gilbert 0
1. Lauren Jacobsen/Tanya Beller (WSC) Def. Miranda Bacon/Jenifer Lauer (PARK), 2-0 (21-13, 21-14)
2. Kelsey Cada/Jordan McKormick (WSC) Def. Annika Wallace/Megan Hicks (PARK), 2-0 (21-18, 21-15)
3. Rachel Walken/Jazlin Dahaan (WSC) Def. Giuliana Kala'l Irvine/Haylee Kroczynski (PARK), 2-0 (21-19, 21-19)
4. Jessica Brandl/Isabelle Vacek (WSC) Def. Grace Hughes/Georgia Romine-Black (PARK), 2-1 (13-21, 21-19, 18-16)
5. Ally Beresford/Brooke Peltz (WSC) Def. Gabriela Morales/Jasmine Urban (PARK), 2-1 (18-21, 21-15, 15-8)
Order of Finish: 2, 4, 1*, 5, 3
Park University Gibert vs. Benedictine Mesa (2 p.m.)
FINAL: Park Gilbert 3, Benedictine Mesa 2
1. Miranda Bacon/Jenifer Lauer (PARK) Def. Courtney Eli/Christina Sanchez (BENU), 2-0 (21-19, 21-14)
2. Kylie Bartel/Annabelle Somoza (BENU) Def. Annika Wallace/Megan Hicks (PARK), 2-0 (21-15, 21-11)
3. Giuliana Kala'l Irvine/Haylee Krocyznski (PARK) Def. Brianna Rivera/Hailey Rivera (BENU), 2-1 (21-15, 21-23, 15-12)
4. Grace Hughes/Georgia Romine-Black (PARK) Def. Violeti Faleumu/Paige Padilla (BENU), 2-0 (21-16, 23-21)
5. Isabel Ponce/Julia Montes (BENU) Def. Gabriela Morales/Jasmine Urban (PARK), 2-0 (21-18, 21-10
Order of Finish: 2, 5, 4, 1, 3*
