No. 8 Park takes 3-0 win over Pride

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Their second-straight home match against a team mentioned in the NAIA Top-15 ratings, the Clarke University men's volleyball team suffered a 3-0 sweep loss to No. 8 Park University on Thursday night.

The Pirates kept CU under 20 points in each set with set scores of 25-15, 25-18, and 25-16 as Clarke was able to make runs in both the second and third sets but Park was able to regroup in each set to regain control.

In the second set, Park led 17-9 before the Pride went on a 6-0 run to pull within 17-15 but then the Pirates finished out 8-3 to take the second set. Then in the third, PU went out to a 7-1 start before Clarke was able to pull off another 6-0 run and tie it at 7-7 but then Park would answer with a 6-2 run and never look back from there.

Park's Daniel Isernhagen and Joao Friedrich both finished with a match-high nine kills as Isernhagen only missed on one of his swings into an error for an .800 hitting percentage.

For the Pride, Tye Ojala had the best statistical offensive night with a team-high six kills on 13 swings with only one error for a .385 hitting percentage. The trio of Timothy Meyer, Stephen Lewandowski, and Justin Hernandez all provided four kills as Nick Palatine led CU with eight digs and Ojala added five of his own.

Clarke men's volleyball will have a quick turnaround to compete on Friday night when they host Graceland University in the Kehl Center for a 7:00 p.m. scheduled first serve.