Impressive offensive attack leads GCU to victory

Saturday, March 12

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

11-9

McKendree

6-8

MCK

GCU

3/12/2016 7:28:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Samantha Fell

PHOENIX – After a disappointing loss on Friday night to McKendree, the GCU men's volleyball team rebounded in the best way possible to defeat the Bearcats in three sets on Saturday evening. The Lopes swept the match by scores of 25-20, 25-23, and 25-21. Grand Canyon is now 11-9 for the season and improves to 4-6 in conference play.

"Tonight's match was a much better result that stemmed from our focus from point to point," head coach Matt Werle noted. "We played with purpose tonight."

GCU displayed purpose and intensity during all three sets of the match. The Lopes only committed nine hitting errors for the night on their way to compiling a .493 attack percentage. In addition, GCU limited its service and receiving errors for a very statistically sound performance overall.

"This was not our best match of the year but it was consistent from the beginning until the end," Werle added. "McKendree played a nice match but we limited our errors a little better than they did."

Once again, GCU was led by outside hitters Shalev Saada and Gerrard Lipscombe. Saada led the team with 17 kills on 29 attacks and also recorded three digs. Lipscombe added 11 kills on 17 attacks and was crucial to the serve receive game for the Lopes.

Sophomore Luke Turner stepped up to have a big night for GCU. Turner had nine kills and provided a solid all-around performance at the opposite position. Middle hitter Ashton King turned in another efficient effort with seven kills on ten attempts. King led the Lopes with three blocks during the match. Setter Puna Kaniho ran the offense and dished out 42 total assists.

GCU never trailed in the decisive third set. The Lopes jumped out to an early 6-2 advantage behind two aces from King and sustained the lead behind the strong arm of Saada. He tallied eight kills in the set to lead Grand Canyon. Senior Aquiles Montoya III put an exclamation mark on the victory by knocking down the final kill of the game.

"Every one of the guys contributed positively in one fashion or another," Werle commented.

Next up, GCU hits the road and travels to Indiana for two MIVA matchups with IPFW. The games will both begin at 4 p.m. and be played on Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19.