Fresh off the heels of a doubleheader and a big win over Benedictine Mesa, the Park University Gilbert beach volleyball team played two tough opponents- a rematch with D2 Wayne State College and No. 1 Ottawa (Ariz.). They fell in both matches, 4-1.

 

Match 1- Wayne State College 4, Park Gilbert 1

 

After falling to Wayne State 5-0 on Thursday afternoon, the Buccaneers hoped to be more competitive against a higher-level opponent. Although they fell, they certainly gave the Wildcats a run for their money.

 

The Wildcats one the first four matches, but not without breaking a sweat. The Buccaneers' No. 3's (Giuliana Kala'l Irvine/Haylee Krocyznski) and No. 4's (Grace Hughes/Georgia Romine-Black) forced three sets. Each pair took the first set and forced their opponents to mount a comeback. In the third set, Irvine and Kroczynski came up just a few points short of pulling out the victory.

 

Although the match was already clinched for the Wildcats when the No. 1's finished, nevertheless, Miranda Bacon and Jenifer Lauer were able to take a match off of the Wildcats. The reigning Cal Pac Pairs Champions fell in set one, but dominated set two and batted through extra points to complete a comeback win.

 

Match 2- Ottawa (Ariz.) 4, Park Gilbert 1

 

The Buccaneers second match of the day was another uphill battle against the NAIA's top-ranked team. But the Buccaneers, a team receiving votes toward the NAIA rankings themselves, did not shy away from the competition.

 

The No. 1's (Bacon/Lauer) and No. 5's (Gabriela Morales/Jasmine Urban) were very competitive. Both pairs forced their opponents to play past the 21-point threshold before a winner could be decided.

 

The match was clinched with the No. 3's finish (Annika Wallace/Megan Hicks), but the Buccaneers were once again able to steal a match from their opponents. This time, it was the No. 4's (Hughes/Romine-Black) that were able to pull out a three-set victory. Like Bacon and Lauer in the WSC match, they fell in set one but came back and won the final two sets.

 

What's Next: The Buccaneers have another crack at Ottawa (Ariz.) on Thursday, March 17 at 3 p.m. They will also play Mesa CC at 4 p.m. Both matches are scheduled to be played at Gilbert Regional Park. The matches were originally scheduled as exhibitions but have been changed to countable matches.

 

Park University Gilbert at Ottawa (Ariz.) (11:00 a.m.)

 

FINAL: Ottawa (Ariz.) 4, Park Gilbert 1

 

1. Katia Diazon/Kate Pestova (OUAZ) Def. Miranda Bacon/Jenifer Lauer (PARK), 2-0 (21-14, 24-22)

2. Noel Chavarria/Katie Defer (OUAZ) Def. Annika Wallace (PARK), 2-0 (21-15, 21-11)

3. Katelyn Viray/Mattea Wilson (OUAZ) Def. Giuliana Kala'l Irvine/Haylee Krocyznski, 2-0 (21-15, 21-8)

4. Grace Hughes/Georgia Romine-Black (PARK) Def. Priscilla Loiola/Mia Lara, 2-1 (10-21, 23-21, 15-11)

5. Zoey Mohring/Devon Strong (OUAZ) Def. Gabriela Morales/Jasmine Urban, 2-0 (21-13, 22-20)

 

Order of Finish: 5, 1, 2*, 3, 4

 

Park University Gilbert vs. Wayne State College (12:30 p.m.)

 

FINAL: Wayne State 4, Park Gilbert 1

 

1. Miranda Bacon/Jenifer Lauer (PARK) Def. Lauren Jacobsen/Taya Beller (WSC), 2-1 (11-21, 21-10, 19-17)

2. Kelsie Cada/Jordan McCormick (WSC) Def. Annika Wallace/Megan Hicks (PARK), 2-0 (21-14, 21-15)

3. Jazlin Dehaan/Rachel Walker (WSC) Def. Giuliana Kala'l Irvine/Haylee Krocyznski (PARK), 2-1 (18-21, 21-17, 15-13)

4. Jessie Brandl/Isabelle Vacek (WSC) Def. Grace Hughes/Georgia Romine-Black (PARK), 2-1 (16-21, 21-17, 15-6)

5. Ally Beresford (WSC) Def. Gabriela Morales/Jasmine Urban (PARK), 2-0 (21-18, 21-15)

Order of Finish: 3, 2, 5*, 4, 5