Grand Canyon University Athletics
Friday, March 30
Phoenix, AZ
6 p.m.
Grand Canyon
vs
Lindenwood
Taylor Griffin is the first GCU men's volleyball player to complete a four-year career with the Antelopes.
Griffin, Antelope Seniors Play Final Home Regular Season Matches This Weekend
3/29/2012 5:05:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
Grand Canyon finishes the home portion of its regular season with non-conference matches Friday and Saturday against Lindenwood at Antelope Gymnasium.
Both matches begin at 6 p.m. On Saturday, GCU will honor its four seniors, including Taylor Griffin, the only player or coach that has been with the program for its entire four-year history.
Griffin will be recognized along with fellow seniors Taylor Galliano, Andre Fajardo and Morgan Youngs.
“It’s been a great honor and I’ve been extremely blessed to be a part of it,” said Griffin, who was on GCU’s inaugural team that went 4-25 in 2009. “I’m so incredibly thankful for this opportunity and I wouldn’t trade anything for the good, the bad, the highs and the lows.”
Griffin has played in 355 sets, has 722 kills and 451 digs for his career heading into this weekend’s matches.
He recalls being all set for registration at the University of Arizona, until a three-day whirlwind found him playing Division I volleyball.
“(Grand Canyon) was recruiting one of my friends (Clayton Hall) and I hadn’t played in two years,” Griffin said. “I was asked to come to a tryout and I played the best volleyball I’d ever played.”
Then-coach Chad Speer asked Griffin to return for another session, hoping that first tryout wasn’t a fluke. Griffin returned and played even better.
“We were consistently getting smashed and it was frustrating,” said Griffin of season one of GCU volleyball. “There’s definitely been a big difference from that year to this year. There’s a sense of “look at us now” and I think we proved to a lot of teams that we’re different than what they thought we’d be.”
GCU has won 14 matches this season and is one win away from the most wins in school history and two wins away from a guaranteed .500 regular-season.
“We’re pretty excited to have our first multi-member senior class get recognized by the university Saturday,” said GCU coach Jeremy Price.
Grand Canyon did not have any seniors on the team its first two years and had only one, Micah Briscoe, who played just one
season.
Galliano and Fajardo came to the team as junior college transfers last year. Youngs is in his only season with the team this year.
“I’m really excited for (Taylor Griffin) to be able to end his career as our first four-year player,” said Price. “He’s had a big career, played a lot and has had a key role.”
Galliano, too, has been a big part the last two seasons, as both a middle and outside hitter. “He’s put together some big matches and is a passionate player that loves to play the game,” said Price.
Fajardo has played primarily as a defensive specialist and server. “He is one of the reasons we have so much depth in the back row,” said Price. “He brings us great enthusiasm.”
Youngs hasn’t played a lot in his lone season as a ’Lope, but Price recognizes his contributions. “He’s really worked hard at practice and is a great guy, has really helped our team chemistry.”
Lindenwood is 16-11 and coming off an impressive first-ever win at California Baptist. There are expected to become a member of the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association next season. GCU is 0-2 all-time against the Lions, losing last season at Antelope Gym.
Fans unable to attend this weekend can follow the action with live stats and live video with links available at www.GCULopes.com.
Both matches begin at 6 p.m. On Saturday, GCU will honor its four seniors, including Taylor Griffin, the only player or coach that has been with the program for its entire four-year history.
Griffin will be recognized along with fellow seniors Taylor Galliano, Andre Fajardo and Morgan Youngs.
“It’s been a great honor and I’ve been extremely blessed to be a part of it,” said Griffin, who was on GCU’s inaugural team that went 4-25 in 2009. “I’m so incredibly thankful for this opportunity and I wouldn’t trade anything for the good, the bad, the highs and the lows.”
Griffin has played in 355 sets, has 722 kills and 451 digs for his career heading into this weekend’s matches.
He recalls being all set for registration at the University of Arizona, until a three-day whirlwind found him playing Division I volleyball.
“(Grand Canyon) was recruiting one of my friends (Clayton Hall) and I hadn’t played in two years,” Griffin said. “I was asked to come to a tryout and I played the best volleyball I’d ever played.”
Then-coach Chad Speer asked Griffin to return for another session, hoping that first tryout wasn’t a fluke. Griffin returned and played even better.
“We were consistently getting smashed and it was frustrating,” said Griffin of season one of GCU volleyball. “There’s definitely been a big difference from that year to this year. There’s a sense of “look at us now” and I think we proved to a lot of teams that we’re different than what they thought we’d be.”
GCU has won 14 matches this season and is one win away from the most wins in school history and two wins away from a guaranteed .500 regular-season.
“We’re pretty excited to have our first multi-member senior class get recognized by the university Saturday,” said GCU coach Jeremy Price.
Grand Canyon did not have any seniors on the team its first two years and had only one, Micah Briscoe, who played just one
Galliano and Fajardo came to the team as junior college transfers last year. Youngs is in his only season with the team this year.
“I’m really excited for (Taylor Griffin) to be able to end his career as our first four-year player,” said Price. “He’s had a big career, played a lot and has had a key role.”
Galliano, too, has been a big part the last two seasons, as both a middle and outside hitter. “He’s put together some big matches and is a passionate player that loves to play the game,” said Price.
Fajardo has played primarily as a defensive specialist and server. “He is one of the reasons we have so much depth in the back row,” said Price. “He brings us great enthusiasm.”
Youngs hasn’t played a lot in his lone season as a ’Lope, but Price recognizes his contributions. “He’s really worked hard at practice and is a great guy, has really helped our team chemistry.”
Lindenwood is 16-11 and coming off an impressive first-ever win at California Baptist. There are expected to become a member of the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association next season. GCU is 0-2 all-time against the Lions, losing last season at Antelope Gym.
Fans unable to attend this weekend can follow the action with live stats and live video with links available at www.GCULopes.com.
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