PARKVILLE, Mo.— Despite a valiant effort on Saturday afternoon, the William Woods University volleyball team was swept by No. 2-ranked Park University in straight sets (17-25, 16-25, 18-25).
The Owls (20-14; 6-4 AMC), trailed the Pirates (29-0; 10-0 AMC), 12-7 in the opening set, after Toi Collins came up with the kill for the Pirates.
WWU would then go on a 3-0 run, however, as an attack error from Park put the Pirates now up by just two at 12-10. Park would gain some breathing room, as they went on a 10-5 run, capped off by Wendy Romero kill, to give the team a 22-15 lead and they would hold on from there, as they took the first set, 25-17. Â
WWU totaled 10 kills in the first set, but had nine errors for an attack percentage of .027, while Park added 14 kills and two errors for an attack percentage of .355.
In the second set, Park jumped out to an early 13-4 lead, after a service ace from Romero. The Owls would narrow the advantage down to 22-16, after a service ace from
Emily Becker, but that would be as close as they would get, with Park taking the second game, 25-16.
William Woods had its struggles in the second set, totaling seven kills and seven errors, which evened out its attack percentage at .000, while Park added 12 kills for an attack percentage of .308.
In the third set, WWU continued to go point-for-point with Park early on, but it was the Pirates holding a 13-12 lead, after Romero added another kill. Park would push its advantage out to 17-13, but the Owls would get back into the game, as they went on a 3-1 run and trailed 18-16, after an attack error from the Pirates.
Park, however, would close out on a 7-2 run and go on to win the set and the match, 25-18.
WWU totaled 26 kills on the day and were led by Becker, having a team-high 10 kills and an attack percentage of .286. Freshman setter
Brittney Engelbrecht added 25 assists and eight digs, while senior
Abbie O'Mara led the way with a match-high 13 digs.
Park, meanwhile, was led by Wanessa Siqueira, having a match-high 11 kills and an attack percentage of .375. Juliana Barros contributed 35 assists, while Daniela Duarte added 11 digs.
The Owls will look to get back to its winning ways on Tuesday November 4
th, as they travel to Hannibal-LaGrange University. First-serve is set for 7 p.m.
Fans make sure to stay updated on wwuowls.com on Monday for a full preview of Tuesday's action.
