The Park University women’s volleyball team steamrolled into the Avila University Invitational Tournament – defeating Peru State in their first match.
The team played in the tournament Aug. 31, and Sept. 1, in Columbia.
In the second match of the day, the Pirates got off to a quick start led by setter Juliana Barros, a junior, who blasted seven serves at the Oklahoma City Stars and the women were on a roll taking an early 7-0 lead.
From that point on, there was little OKC could do to outscore the Pirates, whose front line, which consisted of Wanessa Siqueira, junior; Pamela Lima, senior; and Lauren Purdy, senior; pounded the Stars to an eventual 19-10 lead when Park called their first time-out.
When play resumed, Toi Collins, junior; and Siqueira orchestrated a monstrous block, which gave Park a commanding 23-10 lead. The lady Pirates finished the first set 25-11.
Going into set two, OKC, galvanized by a strong offense, would not lie down easily. Junior Meghan Irwin, of OKC, pummeled a slide which gave the Stars an early 9-1 edge over the Pirates.
Park’s comeback was induced by freshman Alyssa Hensley’s formidable ace to tie the game at 9-9. Additionally, Park’s Barros sparked the momentum and a relentless comeback with a one-handed dig, lofting the ball just high enough for Park to capitalize on a play.
Park maintained composure and wound up winning the game with a close final score of 25-23.
Park commenced the third game similar to that of the second. However, OKC was able to better the Pirates for a moment with a 10-6 lead.
Senior Lauren Purdy instilled in her teammates a sense of alertness that would aid in Park’s comeback. Park’s rejuvenated side proved cantankerous for the OKC Stars, forcing the Star’s coach to call a time-out with OKC side leading by a mere one-point. With the score almost knotted at 16-17, Park would go on to eclipse the Stars’ lead due to another dig by Barros.
Extending their record to 8-1, the Lady Pirates play again at Sept. 13-14, in Olathe, Kan., at the Hy-Vee Pioneer Invitational.
