Antelopes Split Matches at Big Green Invitational

Friday, September 13

Hanover, N.H.

9:30 a.m.

Grand Canyon

2-4

Providence

5-5

Providence College

Grand Canyon

Lanie Muys (12) and Mackenzie Phelps (3)

Mackenzie Phelps set a new GCU and WAC single-match record for digs with 52 against Central Connecticut State.

Photo by: Darryl Webb

9/13/2013 12:07:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Phelps Sets GCU and WAC Dig Record

Grand Canyon (2-5) split matches during the opening day of the Dartmouth Big Green Invitational in Hanover, N.H. The Antelopes swept Providence in the opener, 3-0, and lost a tough 3-2 match to Central Connecticut State.

Against CCSU (3-5), Mackenzie Phelps became the first player in school history to have 50-plus digs in a match. She finished with 52, also a Western Athletic Conference record. Shannon Dugan (20) and Kaitlynn Ausmus (19) each had career highs for kills. GCU led 2-0, before dropping the final three sets, scores were 17-25, 18-25, 29-27, 25-21, 15-12.

Phelps had tied the school record for digs in a single match (45) in the final contest of the 2012 season, a loss to CSU San Bernardino Nov. 30 in the NCAA II West Region Semifinals in Laie, HI. On Sept. 19, 1990, Jeri Dallman had 45 digs against Alaska-Anchorage.

GCU plays Manhattan at 9 a.m. Saturday and host Dartmouth at 4 p.m. Links to live coverage will be available at www.GCULopes.com. Dartmouth will also provide live video for the 4 p.m. contest.

Against Providence, GCU won by set scores of 27-25, 25-15, 25-22.

"We played consistent, high level volleyball," said coach Kris Naber.

Though a straight set win, GCU had to overcome some adversity in each set. After jumping out to a 13-8 first-set lead, the 'Lopes found themselves trailing 21-18 and up against two set points before rallying to win.

In the second set, GCU was down 12-10 prior to a 9-0 run. During the run, Phelps had three service aces and Megan Davis had two kills. Lanie Muys had a kill and combined on a block with Ausmus.

"We had momentum on our side (after winning the first set) and we capitalized on their weaknesses and minimized our errors," said Naber.

In the third, the 'Lopes trailed 15-11 before working back to a 19-19 tie. Down 21-20, GCU wrapped it up with a combo block from Davis and Hannah Hankins, service ace by Jessica Posse, a pair of kills from Dugan and a kill from Ausmus.

"When we got to 20 points, we raised the level of our game," Naber said.

Dugan finished with a double-double, getting 14 kills (14-6-38, .211) and 15 digs. Ausmus had nine kills and three block assists. After playing in the back row in the first set, Davis finished with six kills and hit .417 (6-1-12). She also was one of three 'Lopes with double-figure digs with 11. Phelps led all defenders with a match-best 19 digs.

Frosh Hankins had five block assists and hit .600 (3-0-5). Muys finished with seven kills and three block assists. Ausmus had nine kills and three block assists.

Setter Posse had 23 assists and eight digs. Bree Davis had 15 assists.

GCU won each of the team categories; besting Providence (5-5) in hitting (.187-.147), service aces (6-1), digs (66-63) and blocks (8-5).

Against CCSU, The Antelopes hit well early to take the first two sets, hitting .263 in the first and .355 in the second. There were eight ties and three lead changes in the second set.

The third set was quite a rollercoaster ride. GCU trailed 7-1 and 8-2 before turning the set around and taking a 20-15 advantage. It had two set points and thwarted off three CCSU set points before the Blue Devils got the win.

There were 11 ties and four lead changes in the fourth, the most in any set. And, in the fifth, GCU trailed 8-2 before rallying to take an 11-9 lead.

For the match, GCU was edged in hitting percentage (.202 to .203), but had six more kills (69-63). The 'Lopes won the service ace battle (7-3) and had more digs (97-89), but CCSU took the battle of blocks (14-6).

Frosh setter Bree Davis had her GCU-best in assists with 27. Ausmus hit .356 (19-3-45). Hankins had a team-high three block assists and added seven kills. Dugan had her second double-double of the day, adding 13 digs to her 20 kills.

"It's difficult when you give yourself opportunities to win and don't capitalize on them," said Naber. "We'll come back better (Saturday) ready to compete and look to play more consistent throughout the matches."

GCU 3, PC 0
CCSU 3, GCU 2