GCU earns 3-0 win over Embry-Riddle

Friday, September 17

GCU

6:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

Emily Draper

9/17/2010 9:29:50 PM | Women's Volleyball

Team hits .386, holds ERAU to .084

By: Steve Heath

Grand Canyon finished its pre-Pacific West Conference schedule with an impressive 3-0 victory against visiting Embry-Riddle at Antelope Gymnasium Friday.
GCU (4-7) trailed early in the first set, but scored 10 of the final 13 points, then went on to take control for a 25-22, 25-9, 25-16 win.
"Once we got momentum on our side we never lost control of the match," said GCU coach Kris Naber.
The 'Lopes are 3-0 at Antelope Gymnasium. The new student section, "The Black Hole" made its debut and presence known in the final home match before a four-game PacWest trip to Northern California.
"It feels great to win at home," said sophomore outside hitter Erica Ehlo (Spokane, WA, Lewis and Clark). "We had "The Black Hole" and they were great, loud and had their cheers down."
The Antelopes finished with a .386 hitting percentage and held the Eagles to only .084. GCU hit .500 in the second set, getting 11 kills on 20 attempts.
Though it dominated from late in the first set on, GCU had its work cut out early. In the first set, the 'Lopes rallied from a four-point deficit, 19-15. Off the bench, sophomore Emily Draper (Phoenix, AZ, Christian) sparked the comeback with her serve and Ehlo had all three of her first-set kills during the latter part of the game. GCU tied the set, 19-19, on Ehlo's first kill and took the lead on her second. Senior outside hitter Megan Toth (Phoenix, AZ, Arcadia) wrapped up the set with her third kill.
Draper's serving produced only one ace, but she was able to get the Embry-Riddle offense out of system.
"(She) definitely (made a difference)," said Ehlo. "It only takes one good thing to help turn a match around."
GCU took control from the outset of the second set. The final three points came on service aces from sophomore setter Kristen Preach (Phoenix, AZ, Xavier Prep). The Antelopes had just one attack error in the set and freshman outside hitter Kaitlynn Ausmus (Glendale, AZ, Deer Valley) had five of the team's 10 kills.
Junior hitter Stephanie McBride (Newbury Park, CA, Newbury Park) had eight kills on nine attempts for an .889 attack average. Ausmus, who led the team with 11 kills, hit .391 and Ehlo, who had nine kills and nine digs, had a .571 percentage.
Junior libero Laurann Durbin (Phoenix, AZ, Sunnyslope) had a match-best 10 digs. She has 209 for the season and 1,323 for her career. She is second on the all-time list, trailing only Amber LaTarte (1996-99) by 22 (1,345).
For Embry-Riddle, Mahlet Lee had seven kills and Sarah Galea'i had six. Morgan Vieira had eight assists.
GCU will open conference play Tuesday at Notre Dame de Namur. It is the first of four league contests, all on the road. GCU travels to Academy of Art for matches Wednesday and Sept. 24. It wraps up the road trip Sept. 25 at Notre Dame de Namur.
"Tonight was the end of our preseason," said Naber. "We have to refocus our goal to being known as a powerhouse in the conference."

Box Score