GCU completes comeback victory over Lindenwood

Saturday, January 21

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

3-3

Lindenwood

0-5

Lindenwood

Grand Canyon

1/21/2017 9:33:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Samantha Fell

PHOENIX – GCU battled back from an early two set deficit to defeat the Lindenwood Lions on Saturday evening. The Lopes won by scores of 14-25, 17-25, 37-35, 25-23, and 15-11. Grand Canyon improves to 3-3 on the season while Lindenwood falls to 0-5.

"Lindenwood deserves a lot of credit for the way they performed tonight," head coach Matt Werle stated. "They came out with a lot of energy and were making some plays that we didn't match. They blocked extremely well and our pin attackers struggled."

GCU was led by outside hitter Cody Williams during the contest. Williams had a team-high and career-high 17 kills and added three blocks in the effort. Ashton King and Will Schwob added 11 kills each. Libero Sky Engleman paced GCU with 12 digs and setter Michael Milstein controlled the offense and notched a season-high 40 assists.

Despite the win, the Lopes had room for improvement. GCU attacked at a clip of .167 compared to .286 for Lindenwood. Blocking was a huge advantage for the Lions as well. Lindenwood tallied 24 blocks for the evening and GCU only recorded eight.

"I am proud that we fought back from a two set deficit, but I don't find our efforts tonight acceptable," Werle added. "Even though we won, we are chalking tonight up as a loss and hoping to use it as a huge motivator. If we play like this against Lewis this coming weekend, they will sweep us straight sets. We have to be better at every facet of the game."

GCU will continue their home stand next weekend. The Lopes will face conference rival Lewis on Friday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. and again on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 1 p.m.