GCU Comeback Falls Short; Lose 3-1 To BYUH

Friday, September 30

Phoenix, AZ

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

BYU-Hawai'i

Janae Giles had a team-high 12 kills and 15 digs against BYU-Hawai'i Friday.

9/30/2011 8:32:00 PM | Volleyball

By: Steve Heath

Box Score

Grand Canyon’s volleyball team rallied to force a fourth set, but was unable to take it to a fifth, losing 3-1 to visiting BYU-Hawai’i at Antelope Gymnasium Friday.

GCU lost by set scores of 25-22, 25-20, 21-25, 25-16 and dropped to 8-5 overall and 2-3 in the Pacific West Conference. BYU-Hawai’i improved to 7-3 and 4-1.

Sophomore outside hitter Kaitlynn Ausmus led the ‘Lopes’ third-set comeback with seven kills. She had 10 for the match, trailing only team-leader, junior outside hitter Janae Giles (12). Middle hitter Stephanie McBrideand right side Brooke Blomenkamp each had nine overall.

Sophomore right side Megan Davis had nine third-set digs. Inserted late in the set, junior Sara Bowden added five digs. GCU trailed 21-19 before scoring the final six points. Ausmus had three kills and McBride added two during the 6-0 run.

Tied 10-10 in the fourth, BYUH scored the next four points and led the rest of the way.

The first two sets were tight before the Seasiders pulled away. In the first, Blomenkamp had six kills. Giles had seven digs.

Freshman libero Mackenzie Phelps had 29 digs, nine in the third set. Giles finished with 15 and Davis had 10. Junior setter Kristen Preach had 43 assists. Junior middle hitter Shelby Taylor had a block solo and two block assists to go with five kills.

The teams meet again 6 p.m. Saturday at Antelope Gymnasium. Fans unable to attend can follow the match with live video and live stats links on GCULopes.com.