GCU Sweeps IPFW; Takes MIVA Lead

Saturday, March 17

Fort Wayne, IN

4 p.m.

Grand Canyon

14-9 (5-1)

IPFW

10-10 (2-4)

Grand Canyon

IPFW

Taylor Galliano

3/17/2012 7:29:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

Grand Canyon backed up its first-ever road Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association win with its first MIVA sweep.

The Antelopes (14-9, 5-1) defeated IPFW 3-1 at Gates Sports Center Saturday. They won by set scores of 25-20, 25-20, 33-35, 26-24 and take a one-half game lead in the MIVA standings over No. 6 Lewis (18-4, 4-1).

“It’s one of the biggest weekends in our program’s history,” said GCU head coach Jeremy Price.

Tied at 24 in the fourth set, GCU finished off the Volleydons with a pair of blocks. Freshman middle blocker Ryan Mather had his hands on both. He was assisted by setter Keith Smith on the first and outside hitter Ben Ponnet on match point.

“We blocked well the first three sets and hadn’t in the fourth until the blocks to win,” said Price.

Grand Canyon had 16 total blocks to IPFW’s nine. Mather had nine, including one solo. Middle hitter Taylor Galliano had a solo block and four assists. Ponnet had five block assists. Outside hitter Jordon Tarantino had a solo and four assists.

“I thought our blocking was superb,” added Price. “Our middles were outstanding tonight.”

Offensively, Mather was error-free with eight kills on 11 attempts (.727). Galliano had 10 kills and a .364 attack average (10-2-22). Ponnet led with 14 kills. Tarantino added 12. Ben Hunt chipped in five.

Tarantino and Hunt led with nine digs each. Libero Trent Brunshad eight. Ponnet and Smith each had seven. Smith added 43 assists and three block assists.

Grand Canyon nearly finished in three sets, like it did Friday. The Antelopes were up 22-19 in the third and had match points at 24, 27 and 31.

For the second straight night, GCU jumped out with a strong offensive performance. The Antelopes hit .400 in the first set on 10 kills in 22 attempts (10-2-20). They hit .684 (13-0-19) in the opening set Friday.

IPFW had 70 kills to GCU's 50, but the Antelopes dominated the service game with four service aces and only five service errors. IPFW had 22 service errors.

"To have four aces and only five errors is unheard of in a four-set match," added Price. "We've really improved our service game."

GCU takes on preseason conference favorite Loyola Chicago (12-10, 3-3) Friday and Saturday at home. Both matches will start at 6 p.m.

The Antelopes final four MIVA matches are on the road at defending national champion Ohio State (Apr. 5-6) and at Lewis (Apr. 13-14).

GCU 3, IPFW 1