Antelopes Pick Up Another 5-Set Win

Friday, January 24

Antelope Gymnasium

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

4-2

George Mason

0-2

George Mason

Grand Canyon

Keith Smith had 50 assists and seven blocks, including a career-high two solo blocks, in GCU's 3-2 win over George Mason Friday.

Photo by: Darryl Webb

1/24/2014 9:17:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

Down George Mason In Home Opener

Grand Canyon won its third come-from-behind five-set match of the season with a 3-2 victory over George Mason in the home opener at Antelope Gymnasium Friday.

The Antelopes (4-2), down 2-1, rallied to win the fourth (25-20) and fifth sets (15-13). GCU has won two matches this season after being down 2-0 in sets. Against the Patriots, the Antelopes opened with a 27-25 win before losing the next two sets 25-14, 25-23.

"It's Friday, so Grand Canyon must be playing five sets," quipped GCU coach Jeremy Price, whose team has won all three of its five-setters on Friday night.

"We've done a good job digging ourselves out of some deficits, but I'd like for us to play a more complete match," said Price. "We started well, but from 20-15 in the first set to the end of the second set, they were in charge."

Senior right-side hitter Robbie Brannick helped GCU's rally with six of his seven kills coming in the fourth set. The Antelopes hit .429 in the fourth with 16 kills on 28 attempts with just four errors.

"Robbie came in and turned the tide," said Price.

The match had 15 ties and five lead changes, all in the first three sets.

Senior outside hitter Ben Ponnet led all attackers with 18 kills and tied for the match-high in digs with nine. He was also a part of four blocks, including one solo. Ponnet hit .289 (18-7-38). Sophomore outside hitter Gerrard Lipscombe had 16 kills and hit .276 (16-8-29). He started strong with six first-set kills and had five in the fourth.

"Gerrard had a tough stretch in the second, but he came back in in the third and was very good passing and attacking," said Price. "Ben (Ponnet) and Gerrard were reasonably efficient and had high kill percentages."

Senior middle blocker Connor Dougherty, who like Brannick, came off the bench to aid the comeback, had seven kills (7-2-12, .417) and four block assists.

Senior Keith Smith had another strong night with 50 assists and was part of a team-high seven blocks, including two solos, both coming in the fourth.

"Keith didn't block well in the first couple of sets, but he really blocked well in the fourth and fifth," Price said. "His two solos came when we really needed them."

It was the first time in Smith's career he has had two solo blocks. He was one shy of a career high for total blocks. He had eight (with one solo) against Ball State on March 10, 2012.

Junior middle blocker Keaton Berry had eight kills and hit .538 (8-1-13) with three block assists.

The win is GCU's first over George Mason. The Patriots won each of the last two seasons, both in Fairfax, Va.

The teams meet again Saturday at 4 p.m. at Antelope Gymnasium.

"George Mason is a very good team and I thought they played tough and made us uncomfortable, especially with their serving," said Price. "Their serving specialists really hurt us, so we're going to have to do a better job siding out. It will be another battle tomorrow night."

GCU 3, GMU 2