GCU Defeated In Five-Set Exhibition Match

Wednesday, September 3

GCU Arena

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Mount Royal (exhibition)

GCU's Hannah Hankins had 11 kills, nine digs, six blocks and four assists Wednesday.

Photo by: Darryl Webb

9/3/2014 11:37:00 PM | Volleyball

With 10 newcomers on a 15-member roster, Grand Canyon's volleyball youth showed through in Wednesday's exhibition against Mount Royal at GCU Arena.

After beating the Cougars 3-0 Tuesday, GCU lost 3-2 (25-18, 25-21, 16-25, 21-25, 15-10), after coming back from a 2-0 deficit.

"Our youth showed," said GCU coach Kris Naber. "We hadn't been in that situation and we panicked early. It was a disappointing loss, but I liked how we battled back."

It was the first time GCU had dropped sets all season. The Antelopes are 3-0 in regular season matches with three 3-0 wins to go with Tuesday's exhibition shutout.

"We're going to be able to take some positives out of this," added Naber. "Our young players learned how to battle."

Freshman defensive specialist Emily Vitel came off the bench to record a team-high 15 digs. Sophomore middle blocker Hannah Hankins was a force offensively during the comeback. Hankins finished with 11 kills and a .588 attack percentage. Eight kills came in the final three sets. She added six block assists.

GCU was its most productive after the 10-minute break between the second and third sets. The Antelopes hit .357 in the third. Hankins, redshirt-sophomore Megan Byrnes and freshman Natalie Tardy had three kills each.

In the fourth the GCU defense was the difference. The Antelopes had four blocks, including three block assists from Hankins, who added five digs and five kills. GCU helped hold Mt. Royal to a .093 hitting percentage.

Down 9-5 in the fifth, GCU rallied to tie it, 10-10. During the comeback, freshman middle blocker Hannah Hicks and sophomore setter Leigh Stonerook combined on two blocks. Tardy also added a kill.

Hankins and Tardy were co-team leaders with 11 kills each. Byrnes and Shannon Dugan had nine and eight, respectively. Four players had double-figures in digs. Following Vitel, senior libero Mackenzie Phelps had 14. Dugan had 11 and Stonerook 10. Stonerook and Hicks had four block assists each. Tardy and Phelps each had a pair of service aces. Stonerook contributed 36 assists.

GCU will play in the Gonzaga Invitational Tournament in Spokane, Wash., Friday and Saturday. GCU takes on Gonzaga Friday (6 p.m.). The Lopes take on Montana State (12 p.m.) and Canisius (4 p.m.). Check gculopes.com for live links to the contests.

To watch a replay of Wednesday' match with Mount Royal, click here.

MRU 3, GCU 2