The No. 17 nationally ranked Park University women's volleyball program was defeated in straight sets on Tuesday evening against the non-conference opponent, (RV) Columbia College in Columbia, Mo., 23-25, 25-27, 16-25.

Park moves to 14-8 on the year, while their 4-4 Heart of America Athletic Conference record is unaffected. The Cougars of the American Midwest Conference now match the Pirates with 14 wins on the year at 14-10.

The Cougars looked to have firm control in set one with a 18-9 lead, but a 4-0 lead cracked the door open for the Pirates and a kill by Avery Caskey at 18-13 forced a Columbia timeout. The Cougars recovered ang got to set point at 24-18, but Park was extremely resilient with a 5-0 run to make it 24-23. Part of the run involved a trio of seniors, a kill from Izabella Ceratti, a service ace from Irene Verdino, and a kill from Amra Kovac. The Cougars captured set point though for the 25-23 win.

There were three lead changes in set two and 12 ties to put in perspective how close it was. The Pirates had 15 kills for the set, while the Cougars had a slightly better hitting percentage at .179 on 12 kills for the set. Kills by Ceratti and Caskey helped Park get a 9-7 lead, but a 4-0 run for Columbia turned the tables, 11-9. The Cougars got more separation with a 17-13 lead, at which point Head Coach Michael Talamantes called for a timeout to regroup. The results speak for themselves as Park went on a 4-0 run to tie at 18-18. It continued to be back and forth, but Mafalda Bras and Caskey delivered key kills for Park and a double-block by Ceratti and Kovac gave Park a one-point lead, 23-22. The Cougars earned the last two points of the long set two, 27-25.

Set three looked like another close one at 9-8 Cougars, but a soon Columbia would go on a 7-1 run to change the dynamic of the match at 16-9. This time there would be no comeback as the Cougars got their largest win of the evening at 25-16.

The Pirates hit .091 as a team on 33 kills, 23 errors, and 110 total attacks; while the Cougars were in a better position at .182. The Cougars had the advantage from the block with 11 total blocks compared to four for Park.

Two Pirates were in double-figure offensive numbers, as Caskey and Ceratti each contributed 10 kills.

Angelina Rodriguez had a double-double with 28 assists and 10 digs.

Verdino got to the 20 dig mark as well defensively and had a great night serving with four aces.

Park will return to Heart play on Friday, October 18 in Olathe, Kan. at 7pm against MidAmerica Nazarene University. WATCH HERE
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