GCU falls to Utah Valley 3-1

Thursday, September 28

Phoenix, Ariz.

6:00 P.M.

Grand Canyon

5-10,0-3WAC

Utah Valley

7-10, 2-0WAC

Utah Valley

Grand Canyon

9/28/2017 8:44:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

By: Mark Oshidari

PHOENIX – The Grand Canyon women's volleyball team made a comeback attempt against Utah Valley but fell to the Wolverines 25-15, 25-18, 25-27, 25-22 in front of 959 fans in GCU Arena on Thursday night.

After dropping the first two sets, the Lopes hit .342 in the third set to claim an exciting 27-25 victory. GCU played well in the fourth set but UVU held off GCU to claim the match.

GCU drops to 5-10, 0-3 Western Athletic Conference, while UVU improves to 7-10, 2-0 WAC.

GCU was led by Claire Kovensky with a double-double of 15 kills and 10 digs. Randahl Powers added 12 kills on .269 hitting, while Tressa Schuler just missed a double-double with eight kills and 15 digs.

Heidi Carpenter led GCU with 29 assists and 10 digs, while Emma Ahern had a match-high 26 digs.

GCU served up seven aces in the match, sending the crowd home with free ice tea from GCBC.

In the first set, UVU hit at a .333 clip and built a 10-point lead to cruise to the first set win at 25-15.

In the second set, the Lopes were within 15-12 and later 19-16, but UVU scored six of the next eight points to close out the set for the 25-18 win.

After the intermission, the Lopes built an 18-11 lead after a Kobie Dunn service ace. The Lopes would lead until the Wolverines tied the set up at 21-21. GCU would never surrender the lead however, leading 24-22 and putting UVU away after kills by Kovensky and Carpenter dumping it over for the 27-25 win.

The fourth set was another battle as the Lopes tried to force a fifth set. GCU led 12-11 after a block by Hannah Hicks and Powers. The Lopes were only down 20-18 and 22-20 before two straight points by UVU helped to seal the match.

GCU is back in action on Saturday when it hosts Seattle at 1 p.m. in GCU Arena.