Park looked in their element throughout the evening and are 1-0 to begin the year. Westcliff was in their season opener as well and are 0-1. This marks the second match between these two programs and for the second consecutive year Park begins their season with a home match against Westcliff. Last year Park won 3-2 and this year was a more comfortable 3-0 victory.

Joao Friedrich is a junior outside hitter from Joinville, Brazil and he has been a terror to Park opponents in the last two seasons. Tonight was no different, as the 2022 AVCA-NAIA Second Team All-American and Academic All-District Team Member racked up 12 kills and four service aces in the season debut.

He was joined by Brennen Knabe in a Pirate Post-Game following the match.

In set one, Park and Westcliff were close in score at 11-10, but this also marked the start of a five-point swing by the Pirates to go up 16-10. Veljko Stojic is a new addition to the Pirate ranks this season and started the rally with a kill. Stojic is only a freshman from Belgrade, Serbia and had a good start to his career with five kills, hitting well north of .300 at .444 for the match.

Park's largest lead was six in set one, before Samuel Essilfie shut the door to set one with a set point kill, 25-20. Essilfie is one of the many newcomers that have immediately stepped into playing Park's brand of volleyball. Essilfie reached double-figures in kills like Friedrich with 10. Defensively, he showed some touch with six digs and two block assists.

Another five spot in set two turned a tie game into a 13-8 lead for Park. The Pirates were all business in set two, going on a 12-4 run midway through the set and scored eight consecutive points to end the set, 25-12.

Friedrich was a huge part of that second set scoring on six of the last eight points for Park. Within that stretch, he grabbed two kills and four of a kind in aces.

There was more breathing room at the front of set three compared to the previous two, as Park went out to a 9-4 lead. Credit the Warriors with not quitting and pulling within two points of Park, 12-10.

The Warriors were unable to get closer than a two-point deficit though, despite going relatively point for point with Park with the exception of a 3-0 Pirate run. Park continued to play consistent in the remaining moments and held on to the match victory with a 25-20 win in set three.

Eduardo Faquin is yet another name to bring into the conversation for his great showing at setter. Not only in his first match at Park, but he also was one of three freshman to start tonight. The Florianopolis, Brazil native was superb with 29 assists, eight digs, and four total blocks.

Carston Wellong contributed to the cause with five kills and a hitting percentage of .571, his second most kills in his career.

Park had this quick non-conference match with Westcliff and now immediately jumps into Heart of America Athletic Conference play with Graceland University at 2pm on Saturday in Lamoni, Iowa.  Watch the live-action here.

Box Score