12th-Ranked Antelopes Suffer First Loss

Saturday, September 15

Antelope Gymnasium

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Fresno Pacific

9/15/2012 9:11:00 PM | Volleyball

No. 12 Grand Canyon had its 10-match win streak stopped with a 3-0 loss to Fresno Pacific, in the Pacific West Conference opener for both teams, at Antelope Gymnasium Saturday.

GCU (10-1, 0-1) lost by set scores of 25-15, 28-26, 27-25. Fresno Pacific (9-1, 1-0) won its eighth straight contest.

It also ended Grand Canyon’s 24-match regular season winning streak, dating back to the 2011 season. The Antelopes had won 24 of their last 25 matches, including a loss in last year’s NCAA West Regional.

“I think Fresno is a great ballclub,” said GCU coach Kris Naber. “They have a great history of doing things right and great athletes. Unfortunately, we allowed them to come into our gym and control the match.”

Senior outside hitter Janae Giles had a GCU-best 12 kills and .312 attack percentage. Senior setter Kristen Preach had 35 assists.

Sophomore libero Mackenzie Phelps had 18 digs. Junior middle blocker Kristen Johannsen had five total blocks and added seven kills.

Senior middle blocker Shelby Taylor hit .375 with seven kills and just one error in 16 attempts. Junior right side Megan Davis had 10 digs and six kills.

Fresno dominated the first set, with 18 kills and a .459 hitting percentage, but GCU had its chances in the second and third. In the second, Grand Canyon led 4-0 and had three set points. In the third, it rallied from a five-point deficit and had two set points.

“We had our opportunities in the second and third sets and we just didn’t do it on either side of the court,” added Naber. “That’s something that we have to get better at and close it out when we get a chance.”

GCU will play at Hawai’i Hilo Wednesday at 10 p.m. Arizona time.

FPU 3, GCU 0