The No. 8 nationally ranked Park University women's volleyball continued Heart of America Athletic Conference play at home on Friday in Breckon Sports Center, overcoming Mount Mercy University, 19-25, 25-14, 25-15, 25-22.

Mount Mercy came into the matchup with a strong 9-3 record and 2-0 in the Heart, which mirrored the 7-2 and 1-0 start from the Pirates as well.

Mount Mercy began the match with a 25-19 win over the Pirates and had 13 kills on only three errors in 38 total attacks for a .263 hitting percentage. It took the Pirates a set to get in their rhythm as they were down 4-0 to start the match. The Mustangs quickly came out to a 9-2 lead over Park which included four attack errors by the Pirates in that stretch. Despite the slow start the Pirates rallied late to bring it to a score of 18-16. The Mustangs held on without issue though to end the set.

In the second set, both teams were determined out of the gate and there were seven ties though 8-8 in the match. A seven-point run was exactly what Park needed to reestablish themselves in the match and the 14-8 lead eventually grew to an 11-point victory to balance out the match score. Four kills by Malaina Hensley and three blocks by the Pirate front line made all the difference in turning the ship around for the 25-14 win.

The third set was another close set to start, but again a 7-7 tie was ripped away by Park with an 8-0 run. The Mustangs proved to have a tough time against the Pirates' defense as three attack errors were committed in that stretch. Not only this set, but sets two through four were hitting percentages of less than .100 by the Mustangs. Park sported another four-point scoring run to take an eight-point lead over Mount Mercy. Park had three service aces land in set three, including two that ended the set by Izabella Ceratti.

Another mid-set explosion of offense was triggered by Park in set four, including a seven-point scoring spree to take a 14-8 lead. The Mustangs, though down, found a way to get back in the match and in the closing moments were only down two points. Ceratti for Park inclined herself to finish the match with Park's last three kills and was firing at will with seven kills in the final set. Ceratti and company found a way in the closing moments of the match for the 25-22 win.

Ceratti had 16 kills on the match and was one dig away from a double-double. Other Pirates flirting with double-doubles were Grecia Ung and Hensley. Ung had nine kills and 12 digs, while Hensley had eight and 10 of the same.

Arianna Marino was the only Pirate to actually reach the double-double status, including 34 assists and 21 digs.

Ceratti and Ung were nearly unstoppable at the serve as well with four and three service aces.
Irene Verdino and Marino were carrying the load defensively with 21 digs each.

The Pirates will get a quick rest in before their 2pm match with Clarke University on Saturday, September 16 at 2pm. WATCH HERE

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