WIth four matches in five days against teams tied for first place in the Pacific West Conference, Grand Canyon sees a big challenge and great opportunity ahead.
GCU (10-12, 5-5) takes on the University of Hawai'i at Hilo (12-3, 7-1) tonight and Saturday and BYU-Hawai'i (10-5, 7-1) Monday and Tuesday.
Tonight's match starts at 10 p.m. Phoenix time.
The 'Lopes are in sixth place in the PacWest, but are well aware a good trip to the islands will make for a rise up the PWC ladder. To do so, they'll have to beat the league's two hottest teams. Hilo has won seven straight and nine out of 10. BYU has won five in a row and eight of the last 10.
After struggling in its three previous Hawai'i road trips (1-11), GCU got over the hump in 2009, going 3-1 to start a season-ending nine-match win streak. The 'Lopes would like to do the same in 2010.
For that to happen, they would have to do something never done since rejoining the PacWest in 2006 -- win at Hilo and at BYU. GCU is 5-12 all-time against Hilo and 0-7 in Hawaii. The 'Lopes split with BYU in 2009 -- both matches in Phoenix -- and are 2-10 in the all-time series. GCU is 0-3 in Laie.
Saturday's match at Hilo starts at 8 p.m. Phoenix time. Both BYU matches are scheduled to be televised on BYU-TV, Channel 114 on Cox Cable. First serve is slated for 10:30 p.m. Phoenix time.
GAME NOTES