GCU Stays Unbeaten With Fifth-Set Comeback

Thursday, September 6

Grand Junction, CO

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Colorado Mesa

Kaitlynn Ausmus

9/6/2012 10:13:00 PM | Volleyball

No. 24 Grand Canyon (6-0) rallied from a 12-6 fifth-set deficit and four match-points to defeat host Colorado Mesa (3-2) 3-2 at Brownson Arena in Grand Junction, Colo., Thursday.

The Antelopes won by set scores of 25-20, 25-17, 20-25, 13-25, 21-19.

GCU had match-point at 14, before holding on at points 15-through-18. A kill from junior outside hitter Kaitlynn Ausmus gave the Antelopes a 20-19 lead. A Mavericks’ attack error ended the match.

“Our girls off the bench did an outstanding job,” said coach Kris Naber, noting Ausmus and others coming through down the stretch. “They played in pressure situations and performed at clutch time.”

GCU dominated the first two sets, but combined for 23 attack errors in the third and fourth sets.

“We didn’t put pressure on them to make errors and we started making them.”

Through two sets, middle blockers Lanie Muys (six) and Shelby Taylor (four) had 10 kills on 23 tries without an error. Muys finished with eight kills and a .533 attack percentage.

Outside hitters Hayleigh Friemoth and Janae Giles led in kills with 11 and 10, respectively.

The Antelopes had 106 digs, led by junior right side Megan Davis with 24 – to go with six kills. Libero Mackenzie Phelps had 23. Sara Bowden had 10. Setter Kristen Preach had 41 assists, 13 digs, eight kills and three block assists. Giles also had two service aces.

“This was a good lesson,” said Naber. “When you’re up 2-0, you should win in three. I think we relaxed.”

The win was GCU’s second five-setter of the young season. The win is the team’s 20^th in the last 21 matches played over the last two seasons.

GCU will take on unbeaten Fort Hays State (4-0) at 11:30 a.m. in the first of two matches Friday at the Holiday Inn Crossroads Classic in Grand Junction. At 6 p.m., the Antelopes play Oklahoma Panhandle State (2-2).

GCU 3, CMU 2