Park University’s men’s volleyball team, ranked No. 8, fell to No. 1-ranked Grand View University in four sets on March 11 at the Viking’s home gym in Des Moines, Iowa.

Grand View took the first two sets from Park with scores of 25-21 and 25-19. The Pirates came back and won the third set 25-22. Park fought in the fourth set, but lost to the Vikings 27-25.

The men’s volleyball team moved into the Heart of America Conference this year, leaving the American Midwest Conference, and now faces different teams than past seasons. This is Park’s second loss to Grand View in an otherwise strong season. The team’s record is 14-4.

On March 11, Park had a team total of 49 kills as opposed to Grand View’s 54 kills. Junior outside hitter Felipe Guirau accounted for 13 kills against the Vikings, freshman outside hitter Gabriel Soares came in right behind with 12 kills and freshman outside hitter Joao Friedrich had 10 kills.

On the other side of the net, Grand View’s outside hitter Felix Chapman had 24 of the 54 kills against Park. The Pirates came in right behind the Vikings in kills, service aces, and even beat them out on blocks, 11-7, yet more points fell in favor of Grand View and resulted in Park’s loss.

Park only has four regular season matches before the Heart of America Conference Tournament Quarterfinals on March 27. The team’s next match is against No. 12 ranked Missouri Valley College, who defeated the Pirates in a close 3-2 game earlier this season. The game will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 18 at Breckon Sports Center.