Park University’s women’s volleyball team began the season ranked No. 4 in the nation. After compiling a 26-3 overall record, 11-1 conference record and a No. 9 national ranking, the Pirates clinched the second seed in the American Midwest Conference tournament. Park then rolled through the conference tournament, beating two top 12 teams while dropping just a single set.
The Pirates first test came on November 7 against Freed-Hardeman University. The Lions squeaked into the tournament as the 7th seed with a 6-6 conference record. Park promptly dispatched FHU in straight sets, winning by an average of 10 points. The Lions mustered just a .080 hitting percentage compared to Park’s .222 mark. Junior setter Danna Gomes amassed 26 of Park’s 31 total assists while freshman sisters Noura and Nada Meawad combined for 19 kills. The outcome of the match was never in doubt, as Park easily advanced into the tournament semifinals.
Three days later the Pirates took on No. 12 Missouri Baptist University. It was the second match of the tournament, but the Spartans represented Park’s first real challenge. After a back and forth first 10 points, Park jumped out to a 17-11 lead in the first set. The Spartans then slowly inched their way back within two to make it 20-18. Despite the comeback, the Pirates held onto a 25-21 first set victory. Park again owned a seven-point advantage midway through the second set. With a 21-16 lead, it looked as if the Pirates may run away with the second set. Missouri Baptist knotted the score at 21 all, however, after a run of six straight unanswered points. Park then closed out the second set, winning four of the last five points to win set two 25-22. After two straight nail-biters, Park ousted the Spartans conference title hopes with a 25-17 third set victory. The Pirates did not trail for a single point during the final two sets. Nada Meawad tallied 18 kills on 42 total attempts while Gomes finished with 33 assists. The victory was Park’s second of the season over Missouri Baptist and moved the Pirates in the AMC tournament final.
Just 18 hours later, the Pirates met their top conference competitor No. 7 Columbia College in the tournament final. Columbia College has been a thorn in Park’s side; they’ve downed the Pirates in the last two AMC finals and beat Park earlier this season in a five-set thriller in Columbia. On November 11, however, the Pirates shot out of the gate early. With a 20-18 lead, Park rattled off five straight points to take set one 25-18. The Pirates used another late rally up 19-17 in the second set, popping off six unanswered points and eventually winning set two by the same score of 25-18. In the third set Columbia College finally realized they were the 7th ranked team in the nation and began playing like it. Park battled the Cougars for 15 points but found themselves down late 19-15. The Cougars then beat Park into the ropes with a 24-20 lead, but allowed the Pirates to dip and duck their way within 1. Columbia eventually put Park away to win set three and trim the Pirates two set lead to just one. Park bolted to an early 10-5 lead in the fourth set and never looked back. Park downed the cougars 25-17 for a fourth set victory, claiming their first AMC title in three years.

With the conference championship secured, the Pirates then turned their attention to Indiana Wesleyan University and the NAIA National Championship pool play round. After dropping the first set 21-25 Park rebounded in set two, winning by 10 points. The Pirates and Indiana Wesleyan then traded sets three and four to force a fifth set, where Park would close the match out with a 15-12 victory.
One day after their opening match thriller, Park returned to their dominant form. The Pirates swept Missouri Valley College to remain undefeated in pool play.