Grand Canyon Shuts Out Holy Names, 3-0

Thursday, October 11

Antelope Gymnasium

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Holy Names

10/11/2012 8:36:00 PM | Volleyball

No. 16 Grand Canyon improved to 16-3 with a 3-0 victory over Holy Names (7-10) at Antelope Gymnasium Thursday.

GCU won by set scores of 25-16, 25-19, 25-18. The match, though both schools Pacific West Conference members, was a designated non-conference contest.

The Antelopes led from start to finish in the first set, from 2-1 on in the second before having to come back from a four-point (8-4) third set deficit to take control.

Grand Canyon showed its depth – which has been a key throughout the 2012 season – as three players had new or expanded roles in Thursday’s win. Playing as a right side hitter, junior Caelen Hiller had four kills and three block assists. Junior outside hitter Kaitlynn Ausmus had her most court-time of the season and finished with nine kills, two digs and a block assist. Playing both front and back row, sophomore outside hitter Hayleigh Friemoth just missed her first career double-double with a team-high 12 kills and nine digs.

“We had some players with new roles and they did a good job adjusting and then being successful,” said GCU coach Kris Naber.

Senior setter Kristen Preach had a double-double, her seventh of the season, with 34 assists and 10 digs. Sophomore libero Mackenzie Phelps had 18 digs. Preach also had six kills without an error, hitting .545 for the match and upping her season hitting percentage to .342. With seven kills on 16 tries with just one error, senior middle blocker Shelby Taylor hit .375, bumping her season average over .300 at .305. She also had GCU's lone solo block, as well as, two block assists.

Senior Sara Bowden added eight digs. Junior middle blocker Kristen Johannsen contributed four block assists and two service aces.

As a team, GCU out-hit Holy Names .241-.114 and had 43 kills to the Hawks 33. GCU led in digs 55-50 and had five services aces to HNU’s one. The Hawks led in total team blocks 9-7.

“It was great to be home and play in front of the home fans,” added Naber. The match marked the first of a long stretch of contests at Antelope Gymnasium. Seven of GCU’s final nine matches will be on campus. “We’re looking forward to playing here and showing our fans what GCU volleyball is all about.”

GCU returns to Pacific West Conference play Saturday with a 3 p.m. home match against Dominican.

GCU 3, HNU 0