SURPRISE, Ariz. – Playing their newest crosstown rival in Park Gilbert on Wednesday, the OUAZ women's volleyball team suffered a 3-0 loss at Willow Canyon High School.
 
OUAZ (1-6) couldn't match the offensive output of Park (8-8) as the Buccaneers ended the match with a 44-37 advantage in kills and hit .252 while holding the hometown Spirit to .141 hitting.
 
The match finished with 25 ties and 11 lead changes – all in the first two sets – before Park claimed the 29-27, 25-22, 25-16 victory. The first set saw OUAZ battle off five set points before falling in extra points. The Spirit then held a 22-20 lead in the second set when the Buccaneers scored five straight points for the 2-0 lead and full momentum of the match.
 
Avie Butsko led the Spirit with a season-high 15 kills on her .480 hitting effort. Her third double-digit kill effort of the season also came with three blocks and two service aces.
 
Stevie Wenzel and Katie Defer added seven kills apiece for OUAZ. Leni Bartley led the team with 19 digs and Kanoe Vinoya had 31 assists, seven digs, and three service aces.
 
Park finished with a 67-53 advantage in digs and they had six blocks against the three from OUAZ.
 
The Spirit will return to Golden State Athletic Conference play on Friday when they host San Diego Christian at 7 p.m.