Completed Event: Volleyball at Fresno State on October 25, 2025 , Win , 3, to, 0
Volleyball
at Fresno State
W 3-0
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Saturday, September 20
Chicago, IL
8 a.m.
Grand Canyon
10-3
3
vs
0
San Jose State
2-10
1
2
3
F
Grand Canyon
25
25
25
3
San Jose State
20
18
12
0
Megan Byrnes had 40 kills and 15 blocks in four matches at the Chicago StateTournament.
Photo by: Darryl Webb
GCU Sweeps Way To Chicago State Title
9/20/2014 4:35:00 PM | Volleyball
Grand Canyon finished off a perfect weekend with a pair of 3-0 sweeps to win the Chicago State Tournament Saturday.
The Antelopes (11-3) opened the morning by defeating San Jose State (2-10) by set scores of 25-20, 25-18, 25-12 and followed up by downing South Dakota State in the afternoon 25-22, 25-16, 25-16.
"I'm so proud of these girls and what they were able to accomplish today and throughout the weekend," said coach Kris Naber. "We did a solid job of understanding what we could control and what we couldn't control."
Megan Byrnes, who finished the tournament with 40 kills, a .468 attack percentage, 15 total blocks and was selected to the all-tournament team, had a career-high 13 kills and hit .691 in the win over San Jose State. The Antelopes led most of the match with the Spartans only able to take the lead away one time, early in the second set.
GCU hit .343 in the third set and had 14 kills in both the first and third sets. Senior libero Mackenzie Phelps had a match-best 17 digs, while the Antelope defense helped hold the Spartans to a .020 attack percentage. GCU added five service aces, two each from Hayleigh Friemoth and Michelle Steagall.
Shannon Dugan, also selected to the all-tournament team, had 10 kills. Friemoth added nine digs and Steagall had 29 assists.
Against South Dakota State (5-10), freshman middle Gracie Dimond, getting her first action this weekend and first starts on Saturday, had nine blocks, including one solo. Byrnes led in kills with 11.
The Antelopes defense was dominant again, out-blocking the Jackrabbits 12-4 and, though just playing three sets, had 64 digs, including three players in double figures. Phelps had 21. Dugan added 14 and Steagall had 13. South Dakota State hit just .025.
Steagall added two of GCU's four service aces. Dugan was second on the team in kills with nine and Byrnes added five block assists.
"Both our serving and blocking put a ton of pressure on both opponents and that forced errors," added Naber. "We were consistent from start to finish and worked really well together to make little adjustments along the way.
"Our front row was pretty solid with their block and that frustrated their hitters. We have some young kids that have a pretty good knowledge of the game. We are just going to get better."
GCU continues WAC play next week with road matches at New Mexico State Thursday and Texas-Pan American Saturday.
"We are going to enjoy this weekend and get back to work in the gym next week," said Naber.
GCU 3, SJSU 0
GCU 3, SDSU 0
Chicago State All-Tournament Team
Megan Byrnes, Grand Canyon
Shannon Dugan, Grand Canyon
Sara Hibbs, San Jose State
Anisa Smith, UMass Lowell
Wagner Larson, South Dakota State
Chelsea Sheldon-Medina, Chicago State
The Antelopes (11-3) opened the morning by defeating San Jose State (2-10) by set scores of 25-20, 25-18, 25-12 and followed up by downing South Dakota State in the afternoon 25-22, 25-16, 25-16.
"I'm so proud of these girls and what they were able to accomplish today and throughout the weekend," said coach Kris Naber. "We did a solid job of understanding what we could control and what we couldn't control."
Megan Byrnes, who finished the tournament with 40 kills, a .468 attack percentage, 15 total blocks and was selected to the all-tournament team, had a career-high 13 kills and hit .691 in the win over San Jose State. The Antelopes led most of the match with the Spartans only able to take the lead away one time, early in the second set.
GCU hit .343 in the third set and had 14 kills in both the first and third sets. Senior libero Mackenzie Phelps had a match-best 17 digs, while the Antelope defense helped hold the Spartans to a .020 attack percentage. GCU added five service aces, two each from Hayleigh Friemoth and Michelle Steagall.
Shannon Dugan, also selected to the all-tournament team, had 10 kills. Friemoth added nine digs and Steagall had 29 assists.
Against South Dakota State (5-10), freshman middle Gracie Dimond, getting her first action this weekend and first starts on Saturday, had nine blocks, including one solo. Byrnes led in kills with 11.
The Antelopes defense was dominant again, out-blocking the Jackrabbits 12-4 and, though just playing three sets, had 64 digs, including three players in double figures. Phelps had 21. Dugan added 14 and Steagall had 13. South Dakota State hit just .025.
Steagall added two of GCU's four service aces. Dugan was second on the team in kills with nine and Byrnes added five block assists.
"Both our serving and blocking put a ton of pressure on both opponents and that forced errors," added Naber. "We were consistent from start to finish and worked really well together to make little adjustments along the way.
"Our front row was pretty solid with their block and that frustrated their hitters. We have some young kids that have a pretty good knowledge of the game. We are just going to get better."
GCU continues WAC play next week with road matches at New Mexico State Thursday and Texas-Pan American Saturday.
"We are going to enjoy this weekend and get back to work in the gym next week," said Naber.
GCU 3, SJSU 0
GCU 3, SDSU 0
Chicago State All-Tournament Team
Megan Byrnes, Grand Canyon
Shannon Dugan, Grand Canyon
Sara Hibbs, San Jose State
Anisa Smith, UMass Lowell
Wagner Larson, South Dakota State
Chelsea Sheldon-Medina, Chicago State
Team Stats
GCU
SJSU
Kills
36
25
Errors
15
23
Attempts
99
101
Hitting %
.212
.020
Points
47.0
32.0
Assists
34
24
Aces
5
2
Blocks
6.0
5.0
Game Leaders
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
10
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
3
Aces
2
Blocks
0
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