The Park University Gilbert beach volleyball team split a pair of home, non-conference matches today with a win over Mesa Community College and loss to No. 3 Ottawa (Ariz.).

 

Match 1- Park Gilbert 3, Mesa CC 2

 

The Buccaneers had to work hard for their first win of the day as it took all five matches to clinch a Bucs' win, despite being spotted a win in the No. 5 spot due MCC forfeiting because of a lack of players.

 

The pregame forfeit and No. 4's (Grace Hughes/Georgia Romine-Black) dominant win gave the Buccaneers a 2-0 lead to start things off. Things looked good for the Buccaneers until the No. 1's (Miranda Bacon/Jenifer Lauer) and No. 3's (Giuliana Kala'l Irvine/Haylee Kroczynski) were both swept.

 

That set the stage for the No. 2's to determine the winner. After dropping a close first set, freshmen Annika Wallace and Megan Hicks dominated set two and edged out their opponents in set three to clinch a dramatic Buccaneers victory.

 

Match 2- Ottawa (Ariz.) 3, Park Gilbert 2

 

The Buccaneers once again had their hands full with the No. 3-ranked Spirit, who handed them a 4-1 loss last week in Scottsdale. This time, the Buccaneers closed the deficit and fell 3-2.

 

Hoping to change their fortunes, head coach Justin Marshall switched up some pairs. This time, it was Romine-Black and Hughes playing in the No. 3 spot, while Jessi Medlin played officially for the first time since the season opener, paired with Irvine in the No. 4 spot.

 

The switches worked to an extent, as Irvine and Medlin and the No. 2's (Megan Hicks/Annika Wallace) won their matches as the Buccaneers jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Hicks' and Wallace's win was the second time on the day that they mounted a comeback after dropping set one; they were also the only Buccaneers pair to win both of their matches on Thursday.

 

The Spirit stormed back as their No. 3's handed Romine-Black and Hughes a loss, followed by the No. 5's (Gabriela Morales/Jasmine Urban) dropping a competitive match, despite winning the first set.

 

This time, the winner would be determined by the No. 1's, but Bacon and Lauer were unable to complete the upset as the Spirit completed a comeback victory. With today's split, the Buccaneers are now 5-5 on the season.

 

What's Next: The Buccaneers return to conference play next Friday, when they host matches at Gilbert Regional Park against three Cal Pac foes. They play Marymount California (9 a.m.), Saint Katherine (11:15 a.m.) and Westcliff (1:30 p.m.).

 

Park University Gilbert vs. Mesa Community College, 8 a.m.

 

FINAL: Park University Gilbert 3, Mesa CC 2

 

1. Madison McNulty/Morgan McNulty (MCC) Def. Miranda Bacon/Jenifer Lauer (PARK), 2-0 (21-16, 23-21)

2. Annika Wallace/Megan Hicks (PARK) Def. Jessica Goldsmith/Taylor Van Winkle (MCC), 2-1 (19-21, 21-11, 15-11)

3. Margaret Scranton/Karla Ramirez (MCC) Def. Giuliana Kala'l Irvine/Haylee Kroczynski (PARK), 2-0 (21-15, 21-18)

4. Grace Hughes/Georgia Romine-Black (PARK) Def. Maci Lopeman/Cassidy Wakefield (MCC), 2-0 (21-9, 21-12)

5. MCC FORFEIT

 

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

 

Park University Gilbert vs. Ottawa (Ariz.), 12 p.m.

 

FINAL: Ottawa 3, Park Gilbert 2

 

1. Kate Pestova/Katia Dizon (OUAZ) Def. Miranda Bacon/Jenifer Lauer (PARK), 2-0 (22-20, 21-16

2. Megan Hicks/Annika Wallace (PARK) Def. Noel Chavarria/Katie Defer (OUAZ), 2-1 (11-21, 21-15, 18-16)

3. Katelyn Viray/Mattea Wilson (OUAZ) Def. Georgia Romine-Black/Grace Hughes (PARK), 2-0 (21-14, 21-14)

4. Giuliana Kala'l Irvine/Jessi Medlin (PARK) Def. Amanda Carlos/Mia Larra (OUAZ), 2-0 (21-14, 21-15)

5. Olivia Andersh/Zoey Mohring (OUAZ) Def. Gabriela Morales/Jasmine Urban (PARK), 2-1 (21-19, 19-21, 15-7)

 

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