The Basics
Score: MNU 3 - Park 2
Record: MNU (28-1, 18-1), Park (26-5, 18-1)
Location: Cook Center | Olathe, Kan.
OLATHE, Kan. - #10 MNU won the 2022 Heart Volleyball Tournament Championship in a thrilling 5-set match vs. #13 Park on Saturday. The teams had split their regular season matchups, both winning at home. Round 3 would decide the Heart Tournament title.
The Pioneers took late control of Set 1 with a 5-point service run by
Lucie Maceckova to take a 23-17 lead, and held on to win 25-20. Park turned it around in the 2nd and 3rd sets, dominating the Pioneers 25-19 and 25-15 to take a 2-1 lead. MNU took back control in the 4th set, creating separation with a 14-6 run to take a 20-11 lead. Park fought back with a mini run, but the Pioneers forced a 5th set with a 25-20 win. Park got off to a hot start in Set 5, taking a 9-5 lead, but the Pioneers ended with a flourish. A 7-3 run tied the set at 12, and the Pioneers won 3 quick points to close it out 15-12.
Turning Point
MNU went on a 10-3 run in the 5th set to turn a 9-5 deficit into a 15-12 win.
Individual Leaders
Mikayla Johnson had 13 kills.
Lucie Maceckova had 13 kills and 4 blocks.
Ariana Arciniega had 12 kills and 12 digs.
Cassidy Crist had 8 kills and 9 digs.
Teresa Saunders had 7 blocks.
Katrina Davis had 39 assists and 10 digs. And
Savannah Crossland had 27 digs.
Up Next
The next match is the NAIA Opening Round at home on Saturday vs. Blue Mountain Christian (34-2) at 6:00.
