Grand Canyon University Athletics
Friday, April 13
Romeoville, IL
5 p.m.
Grand Canyon
at
Lewis
GCU sophomore outside hitter Ben Ponnet is just six kills shy of being the program's first player to have 400 kills in a season.
Antelopes Head To No. 9 Lewis With A Lot On The Line
4/12/2012 3:59:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
A lot is still to be determined as Grand Canyon takes on No. 9 Lewis in Romeoville, Ill., to wrap up regular-season play in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association.
The Antelopes (15-14, 5-5) are tied for fourth place with IPFW (13-12, 5-5). GCU owns the tie-breaker over the Mastadons by sweeping the regular-season series. Lewis is in a battle for the league’s top spot, which includes a first-round bye and home court for the semifinals and championship. The Flyers (21-6, 7-3) are one-half game behind No. 10 Ohio State (18-8, 8-3), but do not hold the tie-breaker against the Buckeyes.
Second, third and fourth place teams will host first-round tournament games. GCU is looking to host for the first time in its three-year MIVA history.
“It’s fun to play the last weekend of the season when both teams have a lot to play for,” said GCU coach Jeremy Price.
The Antelopes play Lewis Friday and Saturday. Both matches begin at 5 p.m. Live stats and live video will be provided by the host school. Links to the live coverage will be available at www.GCULopes.com.
Also on Friday, IPFW travels to Ohio State and Ball State visits Quincy. On Saturday, along with the GCU match, IPFW hosts No. 14 Loyola Chicago.
Grand Canyon is 0-5 all-time against Lewis, falling in a five-setter in the teams’ last meeting in Phoenix in 2011.
Lewis leads the MIVA in hitting percentage (.314) and opponent’s hitting percentage (.204). Outside hitter Jay Petty is the reigning MIVA Player of the Week.
GCU leads the nation in digs per set (10.27). Sophomore outside hitter Ben Ponnet is six kills away from becoming the first player in program history to have 400 kills in a season. He ranks 12th in the nation in kills per set (3.72). Sophomore setter Keith Smith, who recently went over the 1,000-assist mark for the season, is ranked seventh in the nation in assists per set (10.7).
“It’s a difficult assignment, but we’re excited about it,” said Price of this weekend’s road tests at Lewis. “It’s a tough place to play and they’re a really good team and have been very consistent all year long.”
WEEKLY MIVA RELEASE
The Antelopes (15-14, 5-5) are tied for fourth place with IPFW (13-12, 5-5). GCU owns the tie-breaker over the Mastadons by sweeping the regular-season series. Lewis is in a battle for the league’s top spot, which includes a first-round bye and home court for the semifinals and championship. The Flyers (21-6, 7-3) are one-half game behind No. 10 Ohio State (18-8, 8-3), but do not hold the tie-breaker against the Buckeyes.
Second, third and fourth place teams will host first-round tournament games. GCU is looking to host for the first time in its three-year MIVA history.
“It’s fun to play the last weekend of the season when both teams have a lot to play for,” said GCU coach Jeremy Price.
The Antelopes play Lewis Friday and Saturday. Both matches begin at 5 p.m. Live stats and live video will be provided by the host school. Links to the live coverage will be available at www.GCULopes.com.
Also on Friday, IPFW travels to Ohio State and Ball State visits Quincy. On Saturday, along with the GCU match, IPFW hosts No. 14 Loyola Chicago.
Grand Canyon is 0-5 all-time against Lewis, falling in a five-setter in the teams’ last meeting in Phoenix in 2011.
Lewis leads the MIVA in hitting percentage (.314) and opponent’s hitting percentage (.204). Outside hitter Jay Petty is the reigning MIVA Player of the Week.
GCU leads the nation in digs per set (10.27). Sophomore outside hitter Ben Ponnet is six kills away from becoming the first player in program history to have 400 kills in a season. He ranks 12th in the nation in kills per set (3.72). Sophomore setter Keith Smith, who recently went over the 1,000-assist mark for the season, is ranked seventh in the nation in assists per set (10.7).
“It’s a difficult assignment, but we’re excited about it,” said Price of this weekend’s road tests at Lewis. “It’s a tough place to play and they’re a really good team and have been very consistent all year long.”
WEEKLY MIVA RELEASE
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