Grand Canyon University Athletics
Saturday, February 18
GCU Arena
6 p.m.
Grand Canyon
vs
Quincy
Ben Ponnet (8) is GCU's leader in kills at 3.9 per set.
Antelopes Open MIVA Season Against Quincy
2/17/2012 2:30:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
Grand Canyon opens Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association play Saturday night at GCU Arena against Quincy University.
First serve is slated for 6 p.m. The teams meet again Sunday at 4 p.m.
Both teams are off to great starts. At 9-5, GCU has already exceeded its win total of last season (The ‘Lopes were 8-24 last season) and picked up its first-ever victory against an MPSF program (UC San Diego) along the way.
Quincy is 12-2 and 0-1 in the MIVA. The Hawks had their most successful season in 2011, going 22-14 and winning a MIVA tournament match for the first time.
The Hawks own the series lead over GCU 3-1.
“We’re eager to get started with our conference season,” said GCU coach Jeremy Price. The Antelopes are the last team of the three NCAA major conferences (MIVA, MPSF and EIVA) to play a conference match.
“At the end of the day, it’s how well you do in your conference,” added Price. “The non-conference matches are important, but they have to get you prepared for the conference. We’ve played well to start the season, but in the conference (matches) you have to play better.”
GCU has won four straight and had a school-record five-match winning streak earlier this season.
“I hope we’ve generated some momentum,” Price said.
Quincy won its first 10 matches before losing to Carthage and the MIVA opener against Ball State.
Both teams feature players ranked in the Top 10 nationally in the NCAA individual statistics report. GCU junior libero Trent Bruns is second in digs per set (2.78), sophomore setter Keith Smith is fourth in assists (11.34) and freshman middle hitter Ryan Mather is 10th in blocks (1.21). Quincy's Joe Ascher is third in aces (.55) and 10th in hitting percentage (.354). the Hawks' John Pranger (.539) and Steven Battaglia (.462) are second and third, respectively, in hitting percentage.
GCU sophomore outside hitter Ben Ponnet is just outside the Top 10 in kills, ranking 11th (3.90).
Fans unable to attend the matches at the Arena can follow live stats and live video with links available at www.GCULopes.com.
First serve is slated for 6 p.m. The teams meet again Sunday at 4 p.m.
Both teams are off to great starts. At 9-5, GCU has already exceeded its win total of last season (The ‘Lopes were 8-24 last season) and picked up its first-ever victory against an MPSF program (UC San Diego) along the way.
Quincy is 12-2 and 0-1 in the MIVA. The Hawks had their most successful season in 2011, going 22-14 and winning a MIVA tournament match for the first time.
The Hawks own the series lead over GCU 3-1.
“We’re eager to get started with our conference season,” said GCU coach Jeremy Price. The Antelopes are the last team of the three NCAA major conferences (MIVA, MPSF and EIVA) to play a conference match.
“At the end of the day, it’s how well you do in your conference,” added Price. “The non-conference matches are important, but they have to get you prepared for the conference. We’ve played well to start the season, but in the conference (matches) you have to play better.”
GCU has won four straight and had a school-record five-match winning streak earlier this season.
“I hope we’ve generated some momentum,” Price said.
Quincy won its first 10 matches before losing to Carthage and the MIVA opener against Ball State.
Both teams feature players ranked in the Top 10 nationally in the NCAA individual statistics report. GCU junior libero Trent Bruns is second in digs per set (2.78), sophomore setter Keith Smith is fourth in assists (11.34) and freshman middle hitter Ryan Mather is 10th in blocks (1.21). Quincy's Joe Ascher is third in aces (.55) and 10th in hitting percentage (.354). the Hawks' John Pranger (.539) and Steven Battaglia (.462) are second and third, respectively, in hitting percentage.
GCU sophomore outside hitter Ben Ponnet is just outside the Top 10 in kills, ranking 11th (3.90).
Fans unable to attend the matches at the Arena can follow live stats and live video with links available at www.GCULopes.com.
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