Grand Canyon University Athletics
Grand Canyon
16-10 (11-5MIVA)
Loyola Chicago
15-10 (8-6MIVA)
GCU defeated in three sets by No. 10 Loyola
4/1/2017 6:35:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
CHICAGO – The GCU men's volleyball team was defeated by No. 10 Loyola on Saturday night, losing by scores of 25-21, 25-22, and 25-18. The Lopes still lead Loyola in the MIVA standings; GCU sits in third place with an 11-5 record and Loyola improves to 8-6.
One night after playing a balanced and consistent match for four sets, the Lopes struggled to maintain the same level of play. GCU and Loyola battled throughout the first set, and the score was tied at 19 all after a kill from Shalev Saada. The Ramblers then scored six of the next eight points to pull away and win the first set by a score of 25-21.
In Set 2, Loyola jumped out to a quick 9-3 lead. The Lopes battled back to tie the score at 22 all, but the Ramblers pulled away at the end of the set due to three straight errors from GCU. The Lopes were still plagued with errors in the third set as the team committed eight attacking errors with only 11 kills. Loyola capitalized and took the set, and the match, by a 25-18 score.
Saada and Ashton King both led GCU during the match with nine kills. Michael Milstein added 25 assists and libero Sky Engleman led the defense with seven digs.
GCU will play their final regular season match of the year on Tuesday, April 4 against Concordia Irvine. The Lopes will host Senior Day before the 6 p.m. match and honor the five seniors of Fletcher Like, Jacob Thibodeau, Matthew Kinnebrew, Drake Silbernagel, and Michael Milstein.
