GCU Finishes Regular Season With 23rd Win

Saturday, November 10

St. George, UT

5:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Dixie State

11/10/2012 7:48:00 PM | Volleyball

Grand Canyon picked up its 23rd win, the most since getting 25 in 1999, with a three set sweep at Dixie State Saturday.
GCU (23-5, 11-5) won by set scores of 25-14, 25-18, 25-14. Dixie State fell to 7-14 and 5-11.

“What an amazing way to finish our conference schedule and regular season,” said head coach Kris Naber, of her Antelopes, ranked No. 20 in the nation and No. 3 in the West Region. “Our focus now is on getting prepared for the post season.”

GCU never trailed. The only tie of the match was a 1-1 score in the third.

Junior outside hitter Caelen Hiller had a match-best 16 kills on 28 attempts, recording a .536 attack percentage on only one error. Hiller and senior outside hitter Janae Giles each had double-doubles. Hiller added 10 digs, while Giles had 10 kills and 12 digs. Hiller also added three service aces.

Junior middle blocker Kristen Johannsen had five kills without an error and a .385 average (5-0-13) to go with two solo blocks and one block assist. Senior setter Kristen Preach had 36 assists, five kills and two service aces. Sophomore libero Mackenzie Phelps had 23 digs.

Kaitlynn Ausmus had seven kills.

GCU hit .405 in the second set with 18 kills and one error on 42 attempts and hit .324 for the match.

The Antelopes await the Nov. 18 NCAA Division II Volleyball Selection Show, to be webcast on ncaa.com, to get official word on their post season fate.

“This is a special group of young ladies and I’m extremely blessed to be a part of their lives,” Naber added.

GCU 3, DSC 0