Antelopes Drop Three-Setter at Bakersfield

Saturday, October 11

Bakersfield, CA

1 p.m.

Grand Canyon

12-7, 2-4WAC

Bakersfield

7-11, 3-2WAC

Grand Canyon

Bakersfield

Hannah Hankins had a match-best four block assists and added six kills in Saturday's match at Bakersfield.

Photo by: Darryl Webb

10/11/2014 4:45:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Grand Canyon rallied from a five-point third-set deficit, but were unable to win the set and extend the match in a 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-23) Western Athletic Conference loss to host Bakersfield at Icardo Center Saturday.

In the third, GCU was down 6-1 and 10-5, before coming back to take a 14-13 lead. On back-to-back kills from freshman Natalie Tardy, the team leader with 11, GCU took a 20-18 lead, but were unable to get to a set point, nor hold off the Roadrunners when they reached match-point.

The Antelopes are 12-7 overall and 2-4 in the WAC. Bakersfield improved to 7-11 and 3-2.

"We stress in practice about a sense of urgency and controlling the match on our side of the net and we didn't do either until the third set today," said coach Kris Naber. "We need to get that urgency from the start.

"We did see a lot of our young players do some good things and that was encouraging," added Naber. "They're going to be impact players and that's exciting."

There were 10 ties in the third set and 15 for the match. Tardy led in kills and tied for a match-best with two service aces. Senior Shannon Dugan and sophomore Megan Byrnes each had eight kills. Sophomore middle blocker Hannah Hankins had six kills and hit. 364 (6-2-11). She also led with a match-best four block assists. Senior libero Mackenzie Phelps had a match-high 26 digs. Michelle Steagall and Leigh Stonerook, both sophomores, shared setter duties and had 17 and 16 assists, respectively.

Each team had four service aces. GCU had more blocks, 6-3. Bakersfield led in kills (45-39), digs (61-48), hitting percentage (.273-.187) and had a 66 percent sideout rating.

GCU travels to Utah Valley for a 6 p.m. contest Thursday in Orem, Utah. Following the match against the Wolverines, GCU takes on Seattle U, on the road, Saturday. Following next week's road matches, the Lopes have 10 of their final 11 matches at home.

CSUB 3, GCU 0