GCU Earns 3-0 Sweep of Chicago State

Thursday, October 31

GCU Arena

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Chicago State

Hayleigh Friemoth had 16 kills and 11 digs in GCU's 3-0 win over Chicago State Thursday.

Photo by: Darryl Webb

10/31/2013 9:12:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Grand Canyon ended a three-match losing streak with a 3-0 victory over Chicago State at GCU Arena Thursday.

The 25-20, 25-18, 25-21 win gave the Antelopes (9-14, 3-7) a 2-0 season sweep of the Cougars (2-23, 0-10).

"We did a good job tonight controlling the net, both offensively and defensively," said GCU coach Kris Naber.

Hayleigh Friemoth, who had a double-double against the Cougars in a five-set win in Chicago, did the same Thursday with a match-best 16 kills to go with 11 digs. Four Antelopes reached double digits in digs. Mackenzie Phelps had 17, putting her just 24 kills away from the program's all-time record. She went over the 1,700-mark (1,704). She trails only Laurann Durbin (2008-11), who finished with 1,730.

Redshirt-freshman Megan Byrnes, in just her second start of the season, had four kills and six total blocks, including two solos. Also adding double figures in digs were Megan Davis (15) and Shannon Dugan(10). Bree Davis led the 'Lopes with 20 assists.

"We were patient on offense and mixed it up," said the coach. "We put ourselves in position to be successful and on defense we slowed a lot of balls down along with keeping the ball on their side of the net."

The Antelopes led most of the match. There were only four lead changes, two each in the first and third sets and eight ties, including four in the first set.

"Our ball control was key to our consistency," added Naber. "The girls did a great job of putting the primary focus on first ball contact.

"We've made some positive chanes in the last couple of days and look for those to carry us into next week's matches."

Usually a starter at middle blocker, senior Lanie Muys got her first start at right side hitter and finished second on the team in kills with seven. She hit .273 with just one error in 22 attempts. She had four kills in the second set. Friemoth had seven of her 16 kills in the second.

GCU had more service aces (5-3), blocks (8-1), kills (41-27) and digs (65-64). GCU hit .174 for the match, with a best set of .241 in the second. Chicago State finished .124.

GCU is back in action at GCU Arena Monday with a 7 p.m. first serve against New Mexico State. Fans unable to attend can follow live action with stats and video links available at www.gculopes.com.

GCU 3, CSU 0