GCU Wins Invitational; Defeats Defending National Runner-Up

Saturday, September 1

GCU Arena

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Central Washington

GCU Wins Invitational; Defeats Defending National Runner-Up

9/1/2012 11:12:00 PM | Volleyball

Preach Selected Tournament MVP

Grand Canyon (4-0) defeated defending NCAA Division II national runner-up CSU San Bernardino

to clinch the title in the Holiday Inn GCU Volleyball Invitational at GCU Arena Saturday.

The Antelopes wrapped up the two-day event with a 3-1 win over the third-ranked Coyotes, 23-25, 25-16, 25-11, 25-12.

GCU senior setter Kristen Preach was named the tournament MVP. Sophomore libero Mackenzie Phelps was also selected to the all-tournament team.

Preach had 29 assists, 13 digs, four kills and five block assists in the win over CSUSB and had 53 assists, eight kills and eight digs earlier in the day when the Antelopes rallied from a two-set deficit to beat Central Washington 3-2.

Phelps had 21 digs against CWU and 16 against CSUSB.

“To go 4-0 and win the tournament, I’m proud of our girls,” said GCU coach Kris Naber. “They showed what they’re made of in pressure situations and stepped up to the challenge.”

Against CSUSB, the Antelopes had 13 total team blocks and held the Coyotes to a .045 attack percentage. CSUSB also had 16 service errors.

Sophomore Hayleigh Friemoth led all hitters with 14 kills and a .333 attack percentage. Janae Giles added 14 digs. Senior Shelby Taylor led in blocks with six assists. Senior Sydney McDowell had five assists and junior Kristen Johannsen had one solo and four block assists, as well as, three service aces. Junior Megan Davis had four service aces.

“Other than the first set (against CSUSB), we played very consistently and we didn’t let up,” Naber added.

After dropping the first two sets against the Wildcats, the Antelopes got a spark from their bench. Taylor, McDowell and Friemoth all entered the match in the second set. Friemoth led in kills with 13 and had a .462 attack percentage to go with three service aces. McDowell had 11 kills on 23 swings and five block assists. Taylor had five kills, hit .417 and had a pair of block assists. Senior Sara Bowden came in and added 14 digs.

Junior Caelen Hiller had 11 kills, while junior transfer Lanie Muys had nine kills and seven total blocks, including two solos.

GCU hit .351, .429 and .333, respectively, in the final three sets and hit .257 for the match.

It was a stellar weekend for the Antelopes, getting a pair of wins Friday, including one over No. 17 UC San Diego, the team that knocked them out of last year’s NCAA West Regional. CSU San Bernardino came into the week ranked No. 3 and Central Washington had defeated No. 13 Metro State earlier in the tournament.

“We beat some quality teams, played at a high level and responded well to pressure situations,” said Naber. “It was a great way to start the season.”

The Antelopes play host to Western New Mexico 6 p.m. Tuesday at Antelope Gymnasium.

GCU 3, CWU 2
GCU 3, CSUSB 1