Antelopes Rally From First-Set Loss For Impressive 3-1 Win

Monday, October 22

Antelope Gymnasium

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Dixie State

Antelopes Rally From First-Set Loss For Impressive 3-1 Win

10/22/2012 9:27:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

In front of an energetic crowd, No. 21 Grand Canyon picked up a 3-1 victory against visiting Dixie State at Antelope Gymnasium Monday.

GCU (19-4, 7-4) downed Dixie State (6-11, 4-8) by set scores of 22-25, 25-10, 25-18, 25-9.

The Antelopes hit over .400 in the second (18-3-35, .429) and third (19-3-39, .421) sets. Junior Kaitlynn Ausmus had a career-high 17 kills and hit .341 (17-3-41). Junior Kristen Johannsen tied a season-high with 13 kills and junior Caelen Hiller had 10 kills without an error – eight in the second set -- and hit .588 (10-0-17).

“We raised our expectations of the level we’re capable of playing and kept it consistent through the second, third and fourth sets,” said GCU coach Kris Naber.

Senior setter Kristen Preach just missed the first triple-double of the season. She had 48 assists and 10 digs along with eight kills (8-2-13, .462). Shelby Taylor and Hayleigh Friemoth each had eight kills. Friemoth tied a career-high with 13 digs.

Four players had double-figures in digs, led by libero Mackenzie Phelps with 23. Sara Bowden joined Friemoth and Preach in double-digits with 11.

Johannsen, Taylor and Hiller all had three block assists. Johannsen and Taylor each added a solo block.

Preach had four of Grand Canyon’s six service aces.

The Antelopes were coming off a tough loss Saturday, at home, to Point Loma.

“They found their team chemistry again, on the court and coming off the bench,” added Naber.

Grand Canyon held Dixie State to a .097 hitting percentage, including a -.130 in the fourth set.

After taking a 3-2 lead in the second set, Grand Canyon didn’t look back. It scored 15 of the final 20 points of the second set, the first six points and 11 of the final 15 in the final set.

GCU looks to avenge Saturday’s loss when it travels to Point Loma Thursday for a 7 p.m. contest against the Sea Lions. GCU plays host to California Baptist 3 p.m. Saturday.

GCU 3, DSC 1