Late set blocks key GCU's win over C. Washington

Saturday, September 12

W 3-1

Grand Canyon

Central Washington

9/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- Grand Canyon broke late ties in the third and fourth sets with consecutive blocks and earned a 3-1 win over Central Washington in the Western Washington Tournament at Carver Gym Saturday.

GCU improved to 7-2 and plays Western Oregon later Saturday. CWU falls to 8-3.

The Lopes won by set scores of 16-25, 25-23, 27-25, 25-23.

Senior Jenna Skadeland (Williston, N.D./Willston), pictured, had seven block assists, teaming with freshman setter Kristen Preach (Phoenix, Ariz./Xavier Prep) to end game three and combining with Preach and freshman Shelby Taylor (Phoenix, Ariz./Christian) to wrap up the final set.

After losing the first set, GCU rallied late in each of its three wins. It was tied at 22-22 in the second, 25-25 in the third and 23-23 in the fourth.

In set two, freshman Caelen Hiller (Phoenix, Ariz./Sunnyslope) had a kill and freshmen Taylor and Katie Peterson (Glendale, Ariz./Mountain Ridge) combined on a block for a 24-22 advantage. CWU scored the next point before the set ended on a kill from senior Whitney Estes (Gardnerville, Nev./Douglas).

Back-to-back blocks from Preach and Skadeland turned a set-two 25-25 tie into a 27-25 win.

It was 23-23, when GCU closed out the match with blocks from Taylor, Skadeland and Preach.

The Lopes had two solo blocks and 26 block assists. Along with her seven assists, Skadeland had 11 kills. Preach had five block assists and 41 setting assists. Peterson had one solo block and six assists. Taylor had one solo and four assists.

Hiller finished with a team-high 15 kills and added 15 digs. Estes had 13 kills. Senior Vicky Bauler (Phoenix, Ariz./Agua Fria) had three service aces. Sophomore libero Laurann Durbin (Phoenix, Ariz./Sunnyslope) had 33 digs and two service aces. Sophomore Lisa Ramirez (Peoria, Ariz./Peoria) had 11 digs.

Photo by Tim Koors