The Park University Gilbert volleyball team (9-5, 2-1) took care of business tonight against Providence Christian College, beating the Sea Beggars 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-17) at Bell Bank Park in Mesa, Ariz. The Buccaneers continued to struggle with errors, but it did not cost them tonight against an overmatched opponent.
The Buccaneers controlled the match from the start and were never really tested. In set one, the Bucs won the first two points and never trailed in the set. PCC cut the deficit to one at 10-9, but a 7-2 run broke the stanza open, and the Bucs never looked back.
Set two was slightly closer in the early going as the set was knotted at 10-10 all. Then an 11-3 run put the set on ice, although the Sea Beggars would close on a strong note, a 7-4 run to make the score 25-20 when the Bucs finally put the set away.
The third set was much like the first once Park Gilbert took the lead, a strong run by the home squad put it in a commanding lead. This time it was a 10-4 run at three-all to put things out of reach.
A theme for the Buccaneers this season is they have dominated the scoresheet offensively, but errors seemingly keep their opponents in the match in and some cases has cost the Bucs a victory. While they won tonight, once again with overwhelming numbers on the offensive side of the net, the errors are clear reminder they still have work to do to become the team they believe they can be.
Park Gilbert had 20 more kills (37-17) with only 10 more attacks (84-74). It had 19 more assists, six more digs and five more blocks. The Bucs had 30 total errors (15 attack errors and 15 service errors) while the Sea Beggars had 25 total errors (18 attack errors, 7 service errors). The service error issues have really started to creep into matches. In last week's four-set loss to La Sierra, Park Gilbert committed 19 service errors.
Individually, Amanda Jonovich led all players with 11 kills, and she hit .300. After Jonovich, the Bucs showed how versatile they are in the attack game with 10 different players recording kills. The Buc setters spread the wealth and all shared in the glory as Jenifer Lauer led the Bucs with 13 assists, followed by Melissa Blockey with 10 and Annika Wallace with nine. Hattie Patton posted 10 digs while Miranda Bacon and Elizabeth Clemit each had three blocks.
Park Gilbert hits the floor again tomorrow night, Friday, September 16 at 7 p.m. as they take on Westcliff at Bell Bank Park on White Out Night. Fans are encouraged to wear white to support the Buccaneers.
