Antelopes Go Over .500 With Win At McKendree

Sunday, February 9

Lebanon, IL

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

6-5

McKendree

1-11

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Grand Canyon	25	21	25	25	3
McKendree	16	25	16	18	1

Sean Saxton hit .727 and had a career-high 9 kills Sunday at McKendree.

Photo by: Darryl Webb

2/9/2014 4:33:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

Grand Canyon (6-5) hit .311 as a team and picked up a 3-1 non-conference win at McKendree College in Lebanon, Ill., Sunday.

Senior Ben Ponnet led the way for the Antelopes with 14 kills, three service aces, and three blocks, including two solos. Set scores in the win were 25-16, 21-25, 25-16, 25-18.

Sean Saxton, Robbie Brannick and Connor Dougherty – all from Illinois – had nine kills each. Saxton hit .727 on 11 swings with one error and was part of three blocks. Dougherty hit .294 (9-4-17) and Brannick hit .211 (9-5-19).

For Saxton, it was a career-high in kills.

"I thought Sean Saxton was one of the men of the match," said GCU coach Jeremy Price, who picked up his 100th career coaching victory with the win.

Senior setter Keith Smith had 33 assists. Jared Morrison led in digs with 12 and Ben Hunt added six kills, eight digs and was part of three blocks, including one solo.

It was Hunt's first start of the season as an outside hitter, a position he has played for three seasons. He had switched to libero earlier this year.

"Ben Hunt was very solid (in today's win)," added Price.

GCU helped hold McKendree to a .144 hitting percentage.

The Antelopes return to Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association action Friday and Saturday with home matches against league-favorite and second-ranked Loyola-Chicago. Matches are at Antelope Gymnasium and begin at 6 p.m. both nights.

GCU 3, MC 1