GCU earns No. 15 national ranking, to celebrate Senior Night this week

Tuesday, April 4

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Concordia Irvine

GCU earns No. 15 national ranking, to celebrate Senior Night this week

4/3/2017 11:39:00 AM | Men's Volleyball

By: Samantha Fell

PHOENIX – For the first time in program history, the Grand Canyon men's volleyball team earned a national ranking from the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division I-II Poll. The Lopes are ranked No. 15 after splitting matches with No. 10 Loyola last weekend. GCU clinched a home playoff game in the MIVA conference and has one regular season game remaining on the schedule.

Grand Canyon will celebrate Senior Night on Tuesday, April 4 before the team's 6 p.m. match with Concordia Irvine. The Lopes will honor five seniors that have made huge contributions to the men's volleyball program this season. Fletcher Like, Jacob Thibodeau, Matthew Kinnebrew, Drake Silbernagel and Michael Milstein will be recognized for their accomplishments.

Fletcher Like is the team manager and has been an integral part of the behind-the-scenes work for the volleyball program. He is the glue that holds the squad together and has been an asset to both the coaching staff and the players throughout the season.

Jacob Thibodeau, a transfer from Orange Coast College, came to GCU from Huntington Beach, California. He has played in ten matches this year as a libero and has the ability to get thrown into any game and make an impact.

Matthew Kinnebrew joined the Lopes this season as a transfer from head coach Matt Werle's alma mater, Juniata College. As an opposite hitter, he has amassed 173 kills including a season-high 18 kills against No. 1 Ohio State

Middle blocker Drake Silbernagel is from Glendale, Arizona and was a standout player on the ASU club volleyball team for four years. He has made a seamless transition to Division I play at GCU and is a leader on the team with 193 kills.

Setter Michael Milstein is the only senior to play at GCU for all four years. He has evolved into one of the best setters in the MIVA and leads the Lopes with 920 assists this season. Milstein is from Jerusalem, Israel and is the team captain.

Scouting Concordia Irvine
This will be the second matchup between Concordia Irvine and GCU this season. On February 4, the Lopes defeated Concordia on the road in four sets as Shalev Saada and Cullen Mosher each had career-best nights. Since the matchup, Concordia has a record of 17-10 this season.

GCU will look to end the regular season on a high note before beginning play in the MIVA Playoffs. The contest will be played on Tuesday, April 4 in Antelope Gym and begin at 6 p.m.