The No. 8 nationally ranked Park University women's volleyball program came out on top against the Wildcats of Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan. on Tuesday, 26-24, 25-13, 25-13.

The Pirates are racking up wins in the Heart of America Athletic Conference at 13-0 and now have a 19-match win streak within their 23-2 record. The Pirates now have their second win against Baker University this season and also swept the Wildcats at their last home matchup on September 29. Baker is at 9-14 on the season and 4-9 in the Heart after tonight.

Park was able to jump out to a 6-2 lead to start the set and as play continued to unfold, the home team had a lot of fight to them, overcoming Park 12-11. It wouldn't be until 19-18 that the Pirates finally overcame the Wildcats and both teams kept it close until the very end as five ties came into play after this point. Both Izabella Ceratti and Debora Bernardi were helpful to their team's cause with three kills each in the first set. Even when Baker looked to have Park on the ropes with a set point, the senior Malaina Hensley tied it with a kill at 24. Hensley's number was called again for her second consecutive kill to regain the lead 25-24, which left the set point in Ceratti's hand for an exciting set one finish, 26-24. Hensley had five kills in the set and finished with seven kills and three service aces for the night.

The intensity from set one lit a fire under Park and seven unanswered Park points ensued to begin set two. Park continued to build up their lead and Grecia Ung raised the stakes to a 15-3 lead after two straight service aces to force a Baker timeout. The Pirates had the advantage from the serve and recorded seven service winners for the match with six in the last two sets. Things only marginally improved for Baker as the set went along and the Pirates secured a 25-13 win.

The final set was the same 12-point margin as the second set at 25-13. The Pirates continued to get better as the match went along in hitting percentage and defense. Park hit .281 in the final set, while the Wildcats were held to a -.103 on only five kills in the last frame. It was slow and steady that won the race for Debora Bernardi, as exactly three kills per set gave her the match lead with nine. The Wildcats won the first point in set three, but then 15 straight points rained down for Park to speed out of Baldwin City quickly in a three sets and done match.

Ung, Hensley, and Ceratti's offensive numbers lined up neatly behind Bernardi's kills with eight, seven, and six for the Park trio.

Ceratti and Ung each had nine digs, while Irene Verdino led Park with 13.

The reigning Heart Setter of the Week has been playing at a high level and dished 30 assists and took three kills for herself in the match. Meanwhile defensively, she was stellar with seven digs and a co-leading four block assists. Bernardi was strong at the net with Marino with four block assists as well.

The Pirates next face No. 19 Central Methodist University in Parkville, Mo. on Saturday, October 21 at 2pm. WATCH HERE
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