Lopes beat Western Oregon 3-1 to improve to 8-2

Saturday, September 12

W 3-1

Grand Canyon

Western Oregon

9/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- Grand Canyon University finished off its weekend in the Western Washington Tournament with a 3-1 victory over Western Oregon at Carver Gym Saturday.

The Lopes were 2-0 Saturday and 2-2 for the tournament. They return home 8-2 overall prior to opening Pacific West Conference play at Dixie State Thursday.

Freshman Caelen Hiller (Phoenix, Ariz./Sunnyslope) had 19 kills, seven digs and three block assists in the 25-23, 19-25, 25-21, 25-19 win. Senior Whitney Estes (Gardnerville, Nev./Douglas), had 15 kills.

Freshman setter Kristen Preach (Phoenix, Ariz./Xavier Prep) had 45 assists, 11 digs and two block assists. Senior middle hitter Jenna Skadeland (Williston, N.D./Williston) had nine kills, one solo block and three block assists. Sophomore libero Laurann Durbin (Phoenix, Ariz./Sunnyslope) led the team in digs with 18. Senior Vicky Bauler (Phoenix, Ariz./Agua Fria), pictured, right, had eight digs, while freshmen Katie Peterson (Glendale, Ariz./Mountain Ridge) and Shelby Taylor (Phoenix, Ariz./Christian) had five and three block assists, respectively. Sophomore Lisa Ramirez (Peoria, Ariz./Peoria) added two service aces and seven digs.

In the first set, GCU had to hold off a Western Oregon (3-7) comeback . The Lopes led 19-9, but the Wolves tied it at 23-23. A Hiller kill gave GCU the lead. The Lopes quickly wrapped it up on a kill by junior Megan Toth (Phoenix, Ariz./Arcadia).

Knotted 1-1, GCU took control in the third 12-11 after another Hiller kill. In the finale, GCU took the lead for good, 2-1, on an Estes kill, and led 5-1 after a Bauler service ace.

Hiller, pictured, left, was selected to the all-tournament team.