The No. 3 nationally ranked Park University men's volleyball program had an excellent home showing on Claude English Court on Tuesday evening, defeating the No. 5 Grand View University Vikings in a sweep, 25-18, 25-19, 25-19.

The Pirates bump up to 15-3 on the season and 7-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The Vikings entered the match on top of the Heart with an 8-0 conference record, but after the loss they stand at 14-3 on the year and 8-1 in the Heart.

Park and Grand View have an extensive history and the Pirates are now 15-14 in the all-time series. Park has also claimed victory in the last four matchups.

Park held the Vikings under their season average of .335, as the Vikings hit for a season-low of .152. Park, coming off of their season-low in hitting percentage against Missouri Valley in the previous match, set their new season-high in Heart play with a .440 attack percentage.

A 4-0 run at the 10-9 mark in set one turned the tide in Park's favor, 14-9. Another 4-2 run, gave the Pirates their largest lead of seven points for the eventual 25-18 win. Nicolas Tenius had the set's final kill and four kills in the opening set.

It was another 4-0 run early in set two that also made a difference in the outcome, Park taking advantage of three consecutive kills by Joao Infante for a 7-4 lead. It remained evenly matched even through the midway point, but after a Grand View timeout at the 17-14 mark, Park added it its lead with a block from Carston Wellong and Friedrich to start a 3-1 run for a 21-15 Park lead. Grand View fought back within three points at 22-19, but the Pirates went on a 3-0 run to end the set, 25-19. Tenius shutdown set two with a kill and two consecutive service aces for the win.

Park rode the momentum the rest of the way with a 7-3 start in set three. Park had all the right answers to counter Grand View and had four blocks in the third set, earning seven total blocks for the match. The Vikings brought it back within two points at 14-12, but the last ditch effort was to no avail as Park's Friedrich cut off the rally with a kill and an ace to get back to a 17-12 lead. Park was then able to coast to another 25-19 set three score for the sweep.

Friedrich had 15 kills in the match, followed by Infante with 13 and Tenius with 12. This trio accounted for all seven service aces by Park, three for Infante, and a pair each for Friedrich and Tenius.

Eduardo Sabi led the way with 34 assists and co-led defensively with Joao Bonanoni in digs with five.

Park has a break until Tuesday, March 19 at Breckon Sports Center against (RV) Missouri Baptist University at 6pm. WATCH
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