Lopes to host two conference matches versus Fort Wayne

Friday, March 17

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Fort Wayne

Lopes to host two conference matches versus Fort Wayne

3/16/2017 10:40:00 AM | Men's Volleyball

By: Samantha Fell

FRIDAY, MARCH 17
6:00 PM MST \| Antelope Gymnasium \| Phoenix, Ariz.
FORT WAYNE MASTODONS	at	GRAND CANYON LOPES

	GCU
SATURDAY, MARCH 18
6:00 PM MST \| Antelope Gymnasium \| Phoenix, Ariz.
FORT WAYNE MASTONDONS	at	GRAND CANYON LOPES

PHOENIX – The GCU men's volleyball team will return to Antelope Gym after two weeks on the road with a 12-8 overall record and an 8-4 mark in the MIVA. The Lopes will face conference opponent Fort Wayne on back-to-back nights beginning on Friday, March 17 at 6 p.m. The second contest will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 18.

The Lopes are on a three-game winning streak, most recently defeating McKendree twice last weekend. GCU needed four sets to beat the Bearcats on Friday evening and five sets to take them down on Saturday. Reigning MIVA Player of the Week Cullen Mosher led the Lopes over the weekend, tallying a team-high 38 kills over both contests.

Grand Canyon stands alone in third place in the MIVA, trailing only Ohio State and Lewis. The Lopes are receiving votes in the AVCA Top 15 poll and will be seeking a team ranking for the first time ever with wins over Fort Wayne this weekend.

Scouting Fort Wayne
The Fort Wayne Mastodons have a record of 5-15 this season with a 2-6 conference mark. They have lost seven of their last ten contests, but have taken nearly every opponent to extra sets. Most recently, the Mastodons lost to Lourdes on March 1. Fort Wayne will be well-rested as the team has not played a match for more than two weeks.

Last season, Fort Wayne and GCU split matches on the Mastodons home court. The Lopes ultimately fell in five sets during the first contest on Friday night but then swept Fort Wayne in the second match on the following day.

Grand Canyon has made it a priority to be ready to play on the first night this season as they would often split dual matches last year. The improvement has shown as the Lopes have already swept three league opponents so far this year in Lindenwood, Quincy, and McKendree.