Philip Heckmann had 67 assists and four service aces for Park against HLG Friday night/

PARKVILLE, Mo. – For the second straight match, Park University went five games with a MAMVIC West opponent, but this time the Pirates prevailed defeating Hannibal-LaGrange in five, 28-30, 30-24, 34-36, 30-28, 15-8.

Park lost in five games on Tuesday night to Missouri Valley inside the Breckon Sports Center. The Pirates are now 9-4 on the year and 6-1 in MAMVIC West play.

Hannibal-LaGrange fell to 6-10 on the year and 1-7 in Conference play. HLG hung tough all match long volleying back-and-forth throughout the night.

The Trojans took game one in a gritty 30-28 victory and looked to possibly have the match locked up in game four, but the Pirates pushed through and won game four, 30-28.

“We finally brought it together in game four and were firing on all cylinders in that fifth game,” said assistant coach Brett Ferguson. “We finally played with some intensity in game five and brought the crowd into it, tonight was a great win for us.”

Zach Penolio had a superb night for the Pirates, taking home 19 kills and eight digs. The freshman outside hitter also posted a .400 hitting percentage.

Erick Albuquerque finished the night with 16 kills and posted a hitting percentage of .324, Fray Luis Fajardo Arteaga also had 13 kills on the night and 10 digs.

Phillip Heckmann was featured as the Pirates main setter on the night and the sophomore came through collecting 67 assists and had four big service aces.

Park’s middle blockers also had a good night as sophomore Oskar Soderlund picked up seven kills and junior team captain Jake Penolio had back-to-back service aces in that pivotal game four.

The Pirates will now take on Missouri Baptist tomorrow, Feb. 27 at 12:00 p.m. inside the Breckon Sports Center

-PARK-