Grand Canyon University Athletics
Grand Canyon
8-16, 0-5
Ohio State
16-2, 9-0
GCU Falls to Ohio State
3/20/2011 5:50:55 PM | Men's Volleyball
The ‘Lopes knew this would be a tough match coming in as the Buckeyes had an 8-0 (now 9-0) record in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association. GCU competed with 32 kills for the night, just one behind OSU who had 33. Grand Canyon had five service aces to their four and both teams had 31 assists. The Buckeyes led in hitting percentage with .432, digs with 24, and blocks with six.
“We had several chances, especially in the second set, but we didn’t take advantage,” said head coach Jeremy Price. “With a team like this you can’t afford to give them points.”
GCU’s Jake Wekell (Tempe, AZ, Marcos de Niza) was the only hitter to grab double-digit kills with 10, seven of which were in the second set alone. Wekell hit .300 for the night and had two block assists.
Middle blocker Taylor Galliano (Norco, CA , Foothill , Irvine Valley College) hit .429 with four kills on seven attempts, two service aces, and two block assists.
Jordon Tarantino (Valley Center, CA , Valley Center , Palomar Community College) contributed nine kills and two service aces.
Setter Keith Smith (Whittier, CA, California High School) had 30 assists and Ben Ponnet (Merchtem, Belgium, OLVC) led in digs with six.
The ‘Lopes will face the Buckeyes again tomorrow at 6:00 pm in Antelope Gymnasium.
