Lopes Grab First MIVA Win at McKendree

Friday, February 13

Lebanon, IL

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

6-4, 1-2MIVA

McKendree

4-9, 0-6MIVA

Grand Canyon

McKendree

Ryan Mather had team highs in kills (16) and digs (7) and was co-team leader in aces (3) in Friday's win over McKendree.

Photo by: Darryl Webb

2/13/2015 7:31:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

After dropping the first set, Grand Canyon came back to win the next three to defeat McKendree 3-1 at Statham Center in Lebanon, Ill., Friday.

It was the first Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association victory for the Lopes, winners by set scores of 19-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-20. GCU improved to 6-4 overall and 1-2 in the MIVA. McKendree, a first-year member of the league, dropped to 4-9 and 0-6.

The Lopes had three players reach double figures in kills, led by Ryan Mather with 16. Gerrard Lipscombe had 11 and Shalev Saada came off the bench to get 10. Setter Michael Milstein had 45 assists and two service aces. The Lopes had eight aces. Lipscombe and Mather each had three. Christian Ward led blockers with four. Mather had a team-best seven digs.

"We learned what playing on the road in the conference is all about tonight," said coach Jeremy Price. "You've got to be ready at the first whistle. Give credit to McKendree, they came out played well and we were fortunate to be tied (1-1) after two sets."

McKendree hit.500 or better in each of the first two sets, getting 15 kills on 23 attempts (.522) in the first and 13 on 22 tries (.500) in the second.

The Lopes were able to turn the tables in the final two sets, holding the Bearcats under .200 in each set. McKendree had just 17 attempts with six kills in the third and hit just .172. GCU had two service aces and a match-best 2.5 blocks in the third. McKendree hit .129 in the fourth, with seven attack errors.

"We came out and played really well in the third and fourth sets," said Price. "Our serving won us the match. Mather served well and ended the match with an ace. (Lipscombe and Milstein) served well and Keaton Berry really kept them off balance with his serving."

Saada got his 10 kills in only two sets. He entered the match in the third and hit .471 on 17 attempts with just two errors. He also had six digs. "He sparked us off the bench," added Price. "He came in and played at a high level."

The teams meet again Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Arizona time. Fans can follow the action with live links at www.gculopes.com.

GCU 3, MU 1