Park University's No. 8 nationally ranked men's volleyball program continued conference action against University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy (UHSP) on Friday night. The Pirates were in the clear with the three-set win, 25-16, 25-10, 25-19.
The Pirates remain undefeated in their 2023 campaign with an 11-0 start on the season and 7-0 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. UHSP are still working on their first win in the conference at 0-9 and are 1-9 on the season.
Park quickly went ahead of the Eutectics in the first set with a seven-point scoring run to give them the 10-5 lead. Kills were spread around by the Pirate ranks within this span.
Nicolas Tenius and
Gabriel Soares collected two kills, while
Joao Infante also got in on the action with a kill during the seven-point swing.
The lead grew to 11, as Park scored 10 of the next 14 points to control set one, 20-9. Park's
Gabriel Soares took matters into his own hands with four kills in the first set. The Santos, Brazil native played a big role in the 25-16 victory with a pair of eight kills and eight digs in the match, just off of a double-double night. His eight digs also led his team this evening.
The Pirates had their best hitting set of the night in set two, firing 15 kills on only two errors and 20 total attacks for a .650. Â
Infante was the main culprit in set two with a tremendous showing of six kills in the set alone. When it all was said and done, he also was the leader in kills with 10, his season-high so far.
Speaking of Infante, he had some wicked serves that gave UHSP troubles in the last three points of the second set, ending 25-10.
The final set began how the second set ended, as three service aces came screaming in by
Nicolas Tenius. Tenius has a reputation for what he can do in his serve game and tonight he set a new career-high in service aces with five.
It was truly a special display tonight as 15 service aces rained down for the Pirates, the most service aces in a match since at least 2017.
The final set was the most competitive and also featured some different cast members for Park.
Thomas Otte impressed in the final frame with four kills.
The 20-18 score favored Park and in the closing moments, the Pirates captured five of the last six points to win, 25-19. One kill by Otte and two kills by a typical libero,
Pablo Llorente, cut off the game at 25-19.
Marcus Lucchesi was masterful tonight with 34 assists and four digs, and he was called upon for a Pirate Post-Game Interview to go over his thoughts following the match.
Overall, Park hit .382 which is their second highest hitting percentage this year, all while holding UHSP to a .136 themselves.
Tomorrow, February 18, the Pirates meet with the Spartans of No. 11 Missouri Baptist University at 2pm on Claude English Court.
Watch the live-action here.
Box Score
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