Grand Canyon University Athletics
Friday, January 8
Fullerton, Calif.
7 p.m.
Grand Canyon
at
Hope International
GCU Men's Volleyball Begins Regular Season this Weekend
1/7/2016 12:08:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
The GCU men's volleyball team kicks off their 2016 season this weekend against two non-conference opponents. The Lopes face the Hope International Royals at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 8 in Fullerton, California. Grand Canyon will then travel to La Jolla, California to take on the UC San Diego Tritons on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 8 p.m.
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New head coach Matt Werle returns plenty of talent from last year's squad. Ryan Mather was named to the All-MIVA Second Team last season and led the Lopes in kills with 354. Gerrard Lipscombe started a team-high 30 matches, recorded 329 kills, and led the team with 204 digs. Outside hitter Shalev Saada also filled up the stat sheet with 248 kills and 110 digs.
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The Lopes have an experienced team and Coach Werle believes that will be a strength throughout the year.
"We will be graduating seven at the end of this season and every one of them is using their own leadership style to take this team in a positive direction," Werle said.Â
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Scouting the Royals
The Hope International Royals finished last season with a 14-14 record but lost both head-to-head matchups with Grand Canyon. The Lopes downed the Royals on Jan. 15, 2015 three sets to none and defeated them again 3-2 on April 1. Hope International is led by head coach Noah Casaquit as he enters his second at the helm.
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Scouting the Tritons
Last season, UC San Diego handed the Lopes one of their first losses of the season in a five set victory on Jan. 10. The Tritons ended the year with a 2-26 record but return six of their seven starters for the 2016 campaign. Kevin Ring begins his 11th season as head coach for the Tritons. Â
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Coach Werle Quote of the Week
"The practice gym has progressively gotten more and more competitive each day. Other than a few minor, nagging injuries, the health of the team is strong. This weekend is about us. It's about taking care of things on our side of the net and making in-game adjustments when needed."
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New head coach Matt Werle returns plenty of talent from last year's squad. Ryan Mather was named to the All-MIVA Second Team last season and led the Lopes in kills with 354. Gerrard Lipscombe started a team-high 30 matches, recorded 329 kills, and led the team with 204 digs. Outside hitter Shalev Saada also filled up the stat sheet with 248 kills and 110 digs.
Â
The Lopes have an experienced team and Coach Werle believes that will be a strength throughout the year.
"We will be graduating seven at the end of this season and every one of them is using their own leadership style to take this team in a positive direction," Werle said.Â
Â
Scouting the Royals
The Hope International Royals finished last season with a 14-14 record but lost both head-to-head matchups with Grand Canyon. The Lopes downed the Royals on Jan. 15, 2015 three sets to none and defeated them again 3-2 on April 1. Hope International is led by head coach Noah Casaquit as he enters his second at the helm.
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Scouting the Tritons
Last season, UC San Diego handed the Lopes one of their first losses of the season in a five set victory on Jan. 10. The Tritons ended the year with a 2-26 record but return six of their seven starters for the 2016 campaign. Kevin Ring begins his 11th season as head coach for the Tritons. Â
Â
Coach Werle Quote of the Week
"The practice gym has progressively gotten more and more competitive each day. Other than a few minor, nagging injuries, the health of the team is strong. This weekend is about us. It's about taking care of things on our side of the net and making in-game adjustments when needed."
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Players Mentioned
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