Lopes sweep Gamecocks for first win in 2016

Saturday, August 27

Colorado Springs, Colo.

9 a.m.

Grand Canyon

1-1

Jacksonville State

0-2

Grand Canyon

Jacksonville State

Photo by: Darryl Webb

8/27/2016 10:53:00 AM | Volleyball

Box Score

By: Mark Oshidari

COLORADO SPRINGS – The Grand Canyon women's volleyball team locked up its first win of 2016 on day two of the season, sweeping Jacksonville State 25-21, 25-15, 25-18 on Saturday morning at Clune Arena.

The Lopes were in control for most of the match, hitting at a solid .269 clip and tallying twice as many blocks as the Gamecocks. After a close five-set loss to open the year, GCU improves to 1-1 and will face tournament host Air Force tonight.

In the win over JSU, Natalie Tardy led the way with 12 kills and a .385 hitting efficiency. Jordyn Sanchez added eight kills and eight digs, while Randahl Powers sent down seven kills on .400 hitting.

Michelle Steagall and Heidi Carpenter had 16 assists apiece. Emma Ahern added a team-high 10 digs while Maria Adams had five blocks.

As a team, GCU won the serving game with seven aces against four service errors.

In the first set, GCU and JSU were tied at 8-8 before the Lopes went on an 11-3 run and led 19-11 after a block by Hannah Hicks and Tardy. While the Lopes hit .237 in the set, GCU held JSU to a .158 efficiency.

In the second set, three straight kills by Sanchez helped push a 12-10 GCU lead into a 17-10 advantage. The GCU block party continued with Hicks adding blocks to close out the set, including a solo block to end the set at 25-15.

GCU won the third set by putting together several small runs. Leading 14-11, GCU extended the lead to 19-12 after a Tardy kill. GCU would cruise to the sweep, taking the third 25-18.