Lopes capture WAC win over CSU

Saturday, November 5

Phoenix, Ariz.

1 p.m.

Grand Canyon

5-19, 1-11WAC

Chicago State

3-24, 1-11WAC

Chicago State

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Darryl Webb

11/5/2016 3:44:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

By: Mark Oshidari

The Grand Canyon women's volleyball team overcame a tough start and captured a Western Athletic Conference victory in a 16-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-16 win over Chicago State on Saturday afternoon in Antelope Gym.

The Lopes had contributions from everyone in an all-around team win. Randahl Powers led the Lopes with 19 kills while Erin Gesicki added 11 kiils, six digs and three blocks.

The GCU middles played well as Hannah Hicks finished with nine kills (.400 hitting) and six blocks while Maria Adams added three kills (.286) with six blocks.

Leigh Stonerook added seven kills and four blocks. As a team, GCU had 14 blocks compared to 11.5 by CSU.

Heidi Carpenter had a match-high 44 assists, to go along with seven digs. Chloe Jenkins added 11 digs and two of GCU's six aces.

GCU improves to 5-19, 1-11 WAC, while Chicago State drops to 3-24, 1-11 WAC.

In the first set, CSU hit at a .448 clip and ran away with the set as the Lopes fell 25-16.

In the second set, the Lopes scored five of the first seven points. GCU built a 10-point lead at 18-8 after a block by Powers and Adams. CSU made it interesting pulling within 23-20 late, but Powers sent down the set winning kill at 25-21. GCU hit at a .286 clip in the set, while holding CSU to .185.

In the third set, Powers sent down a kill to give GCU a 12-6 lead. With the Lopes leading 17-12, CSU went on a 10-5 run to tie up the set at 22-22. Geisicki got one through the block followed by a Jenkins ace. A Hicks and Stonerook block finished off the set 25-22 in favor of the Lopes.

In the fourth set, GCU took a 9-4 lead after a Stonerook ace. CSU rallied to pull within 12-11 but a Carpenter service run increased the lead back to 16-11. CSU got no closer than four points the rest of the way as the Lopes finished strong, outscoring CSU 6-2 to wrap up the match after a kill by Carpenter.

GCU is back in action next week when it takes its final WAC road trip of the year to Utah Valley and Seattle.

Tim Nollan
On the match:
"We didn't start off the way we wanted to, Chicago State played well in the first set. They put a lot of pressure on us offensively and they were scoring well. The second set we came out and settled down with our passing which opened up offensive opportunities for us, and that helped our defense. We actually fueled our defense through our offense to put pressure back on them. It was a slow start to a good finish. We got a lot of key contributions from a lot of different girls today – which is always nice to see."

On Gesicki coming off the bench:
"She did a great job coming off the bench. She was actually sick earlier this week at practice. But she came in today and we gave her an opportunity and she made the most of it. She hit .429 off the bench, she passed the well, she defended well, and she made a dig in the first couple points while she was on the floor. So, it was nice to see her step up off the bench."

On how the team feels to get the win:
"It is a great outing for the team and a good feeling so all the hard work they put in pays off. Nothing is ever built in a day, this team has put in the hard work all year, and they have continued to battle through all the injuries and illnesses. They have shown up everyday and fought, and today it paid off by earning a win that they have been working for a long time."

Randahl Powers
On the win:
"It was super great to get a win today. Coach (Nollan) just kept telling us to keep playing our game and doing what we had to do that the win will come, and that is what we did today. We went out there, executed and got a little bit better. By getting 1% better each game and we got the win today."

On the adjustment after the Set 1:
"I honestly think it was just nerves – us trying to play our game. Once we realized we can do this, we focused in and played our game."

On her career-high 19 kills:
"Honestly, I think it all came from our passing – they were really great. Also, the middles helped to open some split for me and Leigh (Stonerook), on the right side, helped pull the blockers. I think all around it was a great spread offense for everyone."