Grand Canyon Defeated by WAC Leader NMSU

Monday, November 4

GCU Arena

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

New Mexico State

Lanie Muys had nine kills and six blocks against NMSU Monday.

Photo by: Darryl Webb

11/4/2013 10:16:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Phelps Just 10 Digs Shy of School Record

Grand Canyon matched up defensively against Western Athletic Conference leader New Mexico State, but weren't able to do the same offensively in a 3-0 loss to the Aggies at GCU Arena Monday.

The Antelopes (9-15, 3-8) lost by set scores of 25-20, 25-20, 25-20. The Aggies improved to 16-10 overall and 11-2 in the WAC.
"Our all-around defense played very well," said GCU coach Kris Naber. "Where we need to get better and more consistent is in our offensive game."

GCU out-blocked NMSU -- the No. 2 blocking team in the WAC -- 8-4 and had 52 digs to New Mexico State's 54. The Antelopes also had one more service ace (3-2), but the Aggies dominated in kills, 42-30 and hit .209 to the 'Lopes .059.

In a 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-17) loss to the Aggies in Las Cruces, N.M. last month, the 'Lopes had 25 less kills. "I thought, from the first time we played them, the girls did a great job defending," added Naber. "Our all-around game was better and I was glad to see how they improved."

GCU rallied from an 11-6 first-set deficit to take a 13-12 lead. Three of the GCU points came on kills from junior outside hitter Hayleigh Friemoth, who finished with eight and 10 digs. With the set tied at 14-14, the Aggies went on a 4-0 run and led the rest of the way.

The Antelopes took a 4-3 lead in the second, on a kill from senior outside hitter Kaitlynn Ausmus and tied the set at 5-5 on a finished attack by junior outside hitter Shannon Dugan, but, again, the Aggies went on a run that the 'Lopes were unable to match.

Dugan had five of her seven kills in the third set, many coming on a late 14-9 Antelope run.

Senior right side Lanie Muys led GCU with nine kills and was part of six blocks, including one solo. She hit .280 on 25 swings (9-2-25). Senior middle Kristen Johannsen was part of five blocks, including one solo.

Junior libero Mackenzie Phelps had 14 digs, giving her 1,720 for her career. She is 10 shy of the school record set by Laurann Durbin (1,730) from 2008-11.

GCU plays its final road matches of the season this week. The Antelopes are at Utah Valley Thursday (7 p.m.) and Bakersfield Saturday (5 p.m.).

"We make some adjustments this week in practice and play the same level defensively, we will be competitive on our road trip," Naber said.

NMSU 3, GCU 0