The gauntlet of ranked opponents started tonight for the Park University Gilbert men's volleyball team and with three key contributors not playing, the task became even more formidable. Their opponents the Morningside Mustangs took full advantage and defeated the Bucs 3-0 this evening at Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Ariz.

The Bucs started a lineup featuring four underclassman. Those young Bucs showed they have the talent and just need the seasoning as they played the Mustangs who were receiving votes in the last rankings tough over the first two sets.

The Bucs were aggressive on the attack with 96 more attempts than the Mustangs. But they were also more error prone, committing a season high 34 errors in just three sets.

Morningside only had three more kills than the Bucs (28-25) but were much more efficient with only 11 errors on 79 attempts.

Both teams had 25 assists and Park had 34 digs to 30 for Morningside.

Individually, freshman Dominic Smith continues to impress as he posted a career high 16 kills and hit .214. No other Buccaneer had more than three.

Zac York set a career high with 18 digs, the third highest total in school history and the highest total in a three-set match in program history. The two dig totals better than York were set in a four-set match (21) and a five set match (19) by Kale Rubin in 2020.

Things do not get easier for the Bucs on Friday, March 7 as the No. 1 NAIA team in the land makes its way to Arizona Athletic Grounds. The Master's University, who defeated NCAA Division I and eighth-ranked Stanford earlier this season will take on the Bucs at 6 p.m.