Lopes open MIVA play this weekend

PHOENIX - The GCU men's volleyball team begins MIVA conference play this weekend as they take on the Lewis University Flyers. The Lopes will face off at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29 and again at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30. Both matches will be held at the Neil Carey Arena in Romeoville, Illinois.

Grand Canyon is currently 5-2 on the season after suffering two losses against Hawaii last weekend. The Lopes are led by outside hitter Gerrard Lipscombe. The senior has amassed 70 kills, 39 digs, 11 blocks, and 10 aces for the year. Setter Puna Kaniho leads GCU with 150 assists and libero Sky Engleman has a team high 62 digs this season.

Head Coach Matt Werle noted that the matchups against Hawaii were important for preparing the Lopes for MIVA games.

"We are very excited to get conference play underway," Werle said. "It is always tough going into your first conference weekend, away, against one of the top teams in the country. They are very good and very well coached."

Lewis University is ranked No. 13 this season and has a 5-3 record. The Flyers lost to Hawaii in three sets and also dropped five set matchups against Saint Francis and Penn State. Lewis is led by 12^th year head coach Dan Friend. Redshirt freshman Julian Moses has totaled 78 kills to lead the Flyers from his outside hitter position.

"We have never beaten Lewis before," Werle added, "but we will do everything we can during each match this weekend to change that."

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Players Mentioned

Sky Engleman

Puna Kaniho

Gerrard Lipscombe

Grand Canyon University Athletics