For the second year in a row, the Park University men’s volleyball team’s (22-7) season ends in the national semifinals.
In the NAIA Men’s Volleyball National Championship Semifinals Park University’s Gabriel Soares (#15), Daniel Isernhagen (#3) and Felipe Chagas (#12) jump up to block a spike at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex in West Des Moines, Iowa, on April 15.
The No. 7 Park University was eliminated from postseason contention as the Pirates lost to No. 6 Benedictine University Mesa (22-5) in the NAIA Men’s Volleyball National Championship Semifinals at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex in West Des Moines, Iowa, 3-0 (25-18, 32-30, 25-23) on April 15.
Against Benedictine University Mesa (Ari.), in set one, the Redhawks put down 16 kills for a .429 hitting percentage, while holding Park to just .097. The Pirates never led in the set as a 3-3 tie was as close as Park could get.
Park was down 15-10 before closing the gap to 17-15 before BenUMesa closed out the set on an 8-3 run. In set two, the Redhawks hit even better at a .485 clip with 21 kills, while Park had 15 kills for a .182 hitting percentage.
Park jumped out to an early 4-1 lead and led 10-8 before BenUMesa reeled off a 13-5 run to take a 21-15 advantage, but the Pirates came back to tie the set at 22. Park faced six straight set points, but the Redhawks were able to stop the Pirates on each ensuing serve before scoring the final two points.
In set three, Park again struggled to get its kills down, hitting just .152, while BenUMesa hit .394. The final set was close throughout as neither team led by more than two points.
Park had a 23-22 margin late, but the Redhawks scored the final three points to end the match.
In the match, BenUMesa dominated at the net, recording 53 kills with a .436 hitting percentage, while holding Park to just 36 kills and a .144 hitting percentage. Park was led by Joao Fredrich, who recorded 10 kills, while Felipe Chagas and Gabriel Soares had seven each.
Lucciano Bucci dished out 30 assists and Leonardo Leao had 10 digs. The Pirates were seeking their sixth men’s volleyball national title (2003, 2008, 2012, 2014 and 2017, all at the NAIA National Invitational Tournament).
This is the third year that the NAIA has held an official national men’s volleyball championship. Park is led by Head Coach Mike Talamantes, who has compiled a 242-65 (78.8%) record in 11 seasons as the men’s coach. He also has a 375-62 (85.8%) record as Park’s women’s volleyball head coach.