Parkville, Mo. – Ushering in a new era for St. Thomas University on Thursday evening, the Men's Volleyball team went toe-to-toe with sixth-ranked Park University in their inaugural match and the contest with a higher hitting percentage in a 3-1(25-22, 25-20, 15-25, 25-23) setback. 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 
Final: St. Thomas 1, #6 Park 3 

HOW IT HAPPENED:  

• After trading the opening 18 points off the contest, Park scored three-straight to pull ahead 12-9 while holding the Bobcats without a run greater than three for the duration of the first set. 

• Trailing midway through the second set 12-7, STU used a 6-0 rally to pull ahead 13-12. Park reclaimed the advantage at 15-14, using a pair of late 3-0 spurts to extend their lead to 23-19. 

• STU broke open a 3-3 stalemate behind a 3-0 run and kept the lead for the remainder of the third set, creating a double-digit separation at 24-14. 

• The Bobcats created an early 5-2 lead in the fourth stanza and held onto the advantage until a 3-0 rally pushed the host ahead 9-8. STU evened the score with the ensuing point, knotting it again late at 21-all only for a 3-1 stretch forcing match point at 24-22. 

 
NOTEWORTHY: 

• Gabriel Negrao led the Bobcats' offense in its inaugural contest behind 17 kills on aa .433 clip, adding two solo blocks. 

• Matheus Collares dished out 39 assists. 

• Gabriel Pavao Vianna tallied eight digs. 

• Jesus Montes chipped in 14 kills on a .346 hitting percentage. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: 

• The Bobcats ended the match with 47 kills on a .295 hitting percentage, Park tallied 50 on a .290 clip. 

• STU served four aces while the Pirates logged nine. 

• St. Thomas recorded six solo blocks with four assisted in their first game versus four solo and two assisted for Park. 

• Both sides ended the match with 23 digs. 

UP NEXT: 

The Bobcats take on Jamestown and Cental Christian in a doubleheader to conclude play in the Pirate Invitational on Friday, Jan. 31 with first serve slated for 3 p.m. Eastern Time.