Canyon Winning Streak Reaches Nine

Monday, October 24

Silver City, NM

1:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

New Mexico Highlands

Stephanie McBride, left, and Caelen Hiller

10/24/2011 3:19:00 PM | Volleyball

'Lopes sweep N.M. Highlands

By: Steve Heath

Box Score

Grand Canyon extended its winning streak to nine matches with a 3-0 victory over New Mexico Highlands at Western New Mexico University in Silver City, N.M. Monday.

GCU (17-6) won by set scores of 25-21, 25-23, 25-19.

It ties the longest winning streak under head coach Kris Naber. The team won the final nine matches of the season in 2009 and won nine straight twice during the 1999 season. The record for longest streak is 12, set in 1993. GCU also had an 11-match streak in 1989.

Again, it was a balanced attack for the ‘Lopes. Senior middle hitter Stephanie McBride led in kills with nine. Sophomore outside hitter Caelen Hiller, junior outside hitter Janae Giles and junior middle hitter Shelby Taylor each had seven kills.

Hiller hit .353, McBride .318 and Taylor .286. McBride added two solo blocks and seven block assists. The team had 12 total blocks.

Junior setter Kristen Preach had 33 assists, and hit .333 with four kills. Freshman libero Mackenzie Phelps led in digs with 21. Giles and Hiller had 11 and 10, respectively.

GCU looks for No. 10 4 p.m. Tuesday against Western New Mexico. Fans can follow the action with live stats and live video provided by WNMU with links available on the women’s volleyball schedule page.