GCU suffers first loss of the season in Hawaii

Thursday, January 21

Honolulu, Hawaii

10 p.m.

Grand Canyon

5-1

#6 Hawaii

5-1

Grand Canyon

Hawai`i

1/22/2016 6:10:00 AM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Samantha Fell

HONOLULU – The Grand Canyon men's volleyball team dropped their first match of the season on Thursday, Jan. 21. GCU lost to the Warriors of Hawaii 20-25, 22-25, and 26-28. The Lopes fall to 5-1 on the season. Hawaii is ranked No. 6 and improves their record to 5-1.

GCU was led by outside hitter Gerrard Lipscombe. The senior led GCU with 15 kills and also contributed 6 digs, 3 blocks, and 2 aces. Shalev Saada knocked down 10 kills for the match and had 9 digs. Libero Sky Engleman led the Lopes with 11 kills while setter Michael Milstein had 21 assists to pace GCU.

All three sets were competitive between GCU and Hawaii. In the first, the Lopes rallied within two points, down 22-20. The Warriors closed the set with three straight points to get out to a quick advantage. Ryan Mather led the Lopes with three kills in the first set.

In set two, GCU jumped out to a 12-11 advantage, forcing Hawaii into a timeout. The Warriors rallied and took the set 25-22 despite 7 kills each from Saada and Lipscombe.

There were six lead changes and 13 tied scores in the third and final set. Lipscombe came up big with 9 kills to pace GCU. Setter Puna Kaniho recorded 11 assists during the set.

Head Coach Matt Werle was pleased with the effort but noted that the Lopes have areas that need improvement.

"We competed well for most of the match. We just made some really untimely errors," said Werle. "The guys were battle tested during this match and are eager to get back on the court and compete."

GCU faces off with the Warriors again on Friday, Jan. 22 at 10 p.m. The Lopes will then travel to Romeoville, Illinois next weekend for their first MIVA conference match-up with Lewis University on Jan. 29 and Jan. 30.