GCU Wins Texas Southern Invitational

Saturday, August 30

Houston, TX

11 a.m.

Grand Canyon

3-0

New Orleans

1-2

Grand Canyon

New Orleans

GCU frosh Natalie Tardy, second from left, and senior Mackenzie Phelps (3) were named MVPs of the Texas Southern Invitational.

Photo by: Darryl Webb

8/30/2014 3:56:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Tardy, Phelps Earn Top Honors

Grand Canyon finished off a perfect weekend to start the regular season with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-22) victory over New Orleans to win the Texas Southern Invitational in Houston, Saturday.

The Antelopes went 3-0, defeating Texas Southern and Prairie View Friday, and won all nine of their sets. Freshman outside hitter Natalie Tardy and senior liberoMackenzie Phelps were tournament MVPs.

"Going 3-0 and coming home with first place speaks volumes for these girls and for the direction of our program," said GCU coach Kris Naber. "Having a freshman outside hitter and senior libero as tournament MVPs shows that both our veteran and newcomers are performing consistently at a high level."

Tardy added nine more kills today. She had 33 in two matches Friday. Phelps had double-figure digs in each match of the tournament, adding a season-high 13 today. In Saturday's victory, senior outside hitter Shannon Dugan had a double-double with a match-best 11 kills to go with 13 digs.

"(Tardy and Dugan) were powerhouses offensively for us all weekend," added Naber. "(Phelps) has developed into such a calming presence on the court. Her leadership really showed through in pressure situations over the course of the weekend."

Sophomore middle blocker Hannah Hankins added seven kills without an error and hit .538. She added two block assists. Dugan had a match-best three blocks, including one solo. Setter Leigh Stonerook had 21 assists and two block assists. Freshman Emily Vitel had five digs and frosh Hannah Hicks added seven kills and two block assists. Megan Byrnes added five kills and two blocks.

GCU's defense helped hold New Orleans to a mere .092 attack percentage.

The Antelopes will play a pair of exhibition matches at GCU Arena Tuesday and Wednesday against Mount Royal, out of Canada. Match times are 6 p.m.

"This weekend's victories were terrific and we'll let the girls enjoy them, but also we realize it's a small goal in where we are headed this year," said Naber. "We'll get back in the gym Monday and focus on this week's matches in the arena. The girls are excited to play in front of the GCU fans."

GCU 3, UNO 0