Lopes leave Phoenix for two

Friday, February 2

St. Charles, Mo.

6 P.M.

Grand Canyon

Lindenwood

2/1/2018 12:19:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

GCU faces former MIVA foes Lindenwood and McKendree

By: Alex Nash


Grand Canyon Lopes (8-2, 0-0 MPSF)	vs	Lindenwood Lions (5-2, 0-0 (MIVA)	McKendree Bearcats (3-4)
		Fri, Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. MST	Sat, Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. MST
		Watch Live Stats	Watch Live Stats

PHOENIX – The Grand Canyon men's volleyball team (8-2) look to improve on the best start in program history this weekend as they travel to the midwest for two matches against familiar opponents. The Lopes will face Lindenwood (5-2) on Friday before traveling to McKendree (3-4) on Saturday. Both teams play in GCU's former conference, the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association and have seen the Lopes for the last few years. Both matches will begin at 6 p.m. (MST).

The Lopes continued their trend of moving up one spot in the AVCA Division I-II Coaches Poll and now sit at No. 10. The move also continues the program's trend of breaking program records as the ranking is the highest ever for the Lopes. The bump came after two home wins against UC San Diego and in state opponent, Ottawa. The Lopes took the Tritons to four sets before claiming the match and earned the fifth sweep of the season against OUAZ.

GCU enjoyed a balanced attack last weekend led by Cullen Mosher and Will Schwob. Mosher came off the bench against UCSD and had an instant impact with 20 kills, one assist, a .531 hitting percentage and six aces, five of which came in one match marking a career high. Schwob played in six sets and recorded 19 kills, hit at a .400 mark and added 17 digs and six blocks. The junior also had GCU's first double-double of the year in the match against UCSD when he recorded 13 kills and 12 digs.

Nationally the Lopes are breaking into the top ranks. The team hitting percentage of .329 ranks fifth in the country thanks in part to setter Puna Kaniho and his 282 assists which ranks sixth in the country and second in the MPSF. GCU is also second in the NCAA in kills with 446 led by Cody Williams (90), Shalev Saada (82) and Schwob (80). Within the conference GCU ranks no lower than fourth in all team statistical categories with multiple players in the top five individually. Ashton King (.422) and Cullen Mosher (.416) are third and fourth in hitting percentage while Sky Engleman's 58 digs ranks second best in the MPSF. Mosher also boasts a .50 aces per set mark, which is tied for second best in conference.

After four consecutive matches at home the Lopes hit the road for two before beginning another four game home stand. When the Lopes return home they will open MPSF play against Pepperdine and UCLA.

SCOUTING REPORT

Lindenwood (5-2) | MIVA | Friday, 6 p.m.
The Lions are on a one game win streak after going 1-1 last weekend against NJIT and Sacred Heart. They currently sit at 5-2 on the year and are 1-1 at home. Their serve-recieve is the strongest part of their game as they boast 38 aces while only allowing 18 from their opponents. They currently hit at a .207 mark as a team and average 12.1 kills per set. Offensively the Lions are led by Nathan Van Dellen and his 68 kills along with Connor Hipelius who has a team high .416 hitting percentage. On defense, Ryan Vorderer is their digs leaders with 66 and Hipelius also leads in total blocks with 30. This will be the fifteenth meeting between the two teams with the series tied at 7-7.

McKendree (3-4) | Saturday, 6 p.m.
The Bearcats are in the midst of a three game win streak with their last win coming against Lindenwood over a week ago on Jan. 18. After starting the year 0-4 McKendree has gathered some momentum as they head into their first home match of the year. As a team they are hitting at a .292 mark and have 81 total blocks. Their attack is led by Patrick Ross with 72 kills and a .258 hitting percentage as well as Brendan Schmidt who has 60 kills and hits at a .505 mark. Schmidt also leads the team in aces and blocks while Zach Thompson leads in digs with 43. This will be the ninth meeting between the Lopes and the Bearcats with GCU leading the series 7-1.