Volleyball Post Season

Park University’s No. 2 ranked Women’s Volleyball team finished runner-up in the 2018-2019 American Midwest Conference Championship. They fell to No. 4 Columbia College Cougars (3-2). Finishing the regular season with a record of (29-1, 12-0 AMC).

The Pirates received a bid for Nationals after winning the regular season championship. Park is set to compete in its sixth-straight NAIA Women’s Volleyball National Championship and will be the No. 2 overall seed.

Head coach Mike Talamantes said, “I’m ready for the chance to compete with this group and see how the girls want to end the season.” The Pirates had a phenomenal season with a tough schedule as they faced a top five team almost every week. Ending the regular season with a loss was tough for the team, but they look to bounce back at nationals.

The Pirates started the tournament in Pool B against Morningside College on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 8 p.m. on Court 1. The team claimed a decisive 3-0 victory, 25-20, 25-14 and 26-24. It was a strong offensive effort for the Pirates with 51 kills and eight aces. Sophomore Nada Meawad was responsible for 17 kills and 14 digs.

The next pool play game for the Pirates was held Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. against Embry-Riddle. The results of the match were not known before publication. The final pool play game will be Thursday, Nov. 29 at 8 p.m. against Westmont College.

The NAIA Women’s Volleyball National Championship is the toughest collegiate tournament in the country. Thirty-two total teams come together in Sioux City, Iowa, and are divided into eight pools of four. The top two from each pool will go to the knockouts. At that point, they will play four matches in two days, including the championship match.

“The support we have had this season has been incredible. We face big fan bases like Columbia College and Missouri Baptist, but I truly believe our fan base is one of the top fan bases in the country,” said Talamantes.

To view the entire 2018 NAIA Women’s Volleyball Pool Play Schedule and Bracket, visit the NAIA website, naia.org.