BOX SCORE (PDF)

Oskar Soderlund appeared in all four games for Park on Saturday.

PARKVILLE, Mo. – For the second time this year the Park University men’s volleyball team handed a loss to the defending NAIA National Champions, as they defeated Lindenwood in four games Saturday afternoon, 30-27, 31-29, 28-30, 30-27.

Park is now 6-2 on the year and a perfect 4-0 in the conference. Lindenwood falls to 5-6 and 2-2 in MAMVIC West play. The Pirates also defeated Lindenwood in five games on the road back on Jan. 30.

Park had big night’s from outside hitters Fray Luis Fajardo Arteaga and Zach Penolio. Arteaga led all players in kills with 24 and Penolio had 18 kills and a hitting percentage of .282.

In game one, as a team the Pirates had a hitting percentage of .370 and Arteaga had six kills on nine attempts.

Felix Horn stepped up again for the Pirates on Saturday, the freshman setter had 61 assists and a huge solo block against Lindenwood’s big outside hitter Taylor Morrill. The NAIA Setter of the Week also had three service aces and six digs.

Erick Albuquerque also had a fine game with his team leading 11 digs and 11 kills. The junior had a hitting percentage of .231 against the Lions.

Lindenwood had just two players with double-digit kills, as Morrill was tied for the team lead with 10. Teammate Rick Hess also had 10 kills. Lindenwood showed great skills blocking Park’s attacks, collecting 17.5 total team blocks compared to the Pirates 8.

Park will now travel to St. Louis next Friday, Feb. 19 and Saturday, Feb. 20 to take on Missouri Baptist, Clarke College and Fontbonne.

-PARK-