GCU Faces WAC Leader in Final Road Match

Saturday, November 7

Las Cruces, N.M.

1 p.m.

Grand Canyon

4-20, 2-10

New Mexico State

23-5, 12-0

Grand Canyon

New Mexico State

Photo by: Darryl Webb

11/7/2015 7:15:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

LAS CRUCES, N. M. – In their final road match of the season, the Grand Canyon University women's volleyball team (4-20, 2-10) took on the top team in the Western Athletic Conference, New Mexico State (23-5, 12-0). The Lopes were able to earn a set off of the Aggies, falling in a four-set match.

New Mexico State won the first set 25-15, but the Lopes rallied to win the second set 25-22. The Aggies won the third and fourth sets 25-9 and 25-16, respectively. In the second set, GCU had a .308 hitting percentage compared to New Mexico State's .179.

"I was really pleased with how this group battled and played free in the second set," said head coach Kris Naber. "We were able to do some nice things that got them out of system and forced them to start making errors. The group responded well after Jordyn Sanchez got hurt and were able to continue to put pressure on New Mexico State late in the 20s in the second set which is something we've struggled with this year."

In a team effort, the Lopes' 37 kills were spread between seven players on the squad with each contributing three or more kills. Freshman Melody Horton led with nine kills during the match followed by sophomore Natalie Tardy's seven kills.

Sophomore Hannah Hicks also had six kills and two block assists. Gracie Dimond, who ranks sixth in conference for blocks per set in conference matches (.87), had two block assists and one solo block. GCU tied New Mexico State at the net with a total of six team blocks.

Randahl Powers had 21 assists during the match, taking her average in conference matches to 6.51 to rank seventh in conference. Michelle Steagall also contributed 13 assists.

"It would've been easy to come into today's match against New Mexico State—who is undefeated in conference and is known to play extremely solid at home—and drop the match in three," concluded Naber. "I'm extremely proud of these girls who continue to show up every day desiring to get better."

The Lopes will return home for their final conference matches of the season this week. They will take on Chicago State on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. and UMKC on Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. in Antelope Gymnasium. Links to live stats, live video, and a full recap will be available at www.gculopes.com.