GCU edged by UT Arlington

Friday, September 14

Arlington, Texas

4:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

7-4

UT Arlington

5-3

Grand Canyon

UT Arlington

Photo by: David Kadlubowski

9/14/2018 6:48:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Matthews' career high not enough

By: Mark Oshidari

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Grand Canyon women's volleyball team dropped a close match to Texas-Arlington 25-22, 23-25, 25-20, 25-23 on Friday night.

GCU was led by freshman Kayla Matthews with a career-high 20 kills and 13 digs. Also adding double-doubles were transfers Meme Fletcher (11 kills, 16 digs) and Molly Feldmeth (42 assists, 11 digs).

Kaira Moss was also in double figures with 10 kills. Teagan DeFalco recorded 23 digs.

UTA (5-3) opened the match by scoring six straight points. A service run by Horton pulled GCU within 11-8. After UTA extended the lead, GCU pulled within 24-22. A UTA block gave the Mavericks the 25-22 win.

In the second set, GCU (7-4) forced the Mavericks to call a timeout after Fletcher's ace and kill gave the Lopes an 11-8 lead. GCU led until UTA tied the set at 18-18. GCU led 20-19 but UTA scored three straight to put the Lopes in a two-point deficit. A Lopes attack error closed out the UTA 25-23 win.

Both squads exchanged leads for much of the third set. GCU went on a 6-0 run to lead 21-17, part of a Feldmeth service run. The run was enough as the Lopes pulled away for the 25-20 win.

UTA led 14-9 in the fourth set. An Emma Ahern service run pulled GCU within 14-13. UTA scored five of the next six points and led 19-14. GCU pulled within 24-23 after a pair of Emma Ahern aces, but the Mavericks held off the Lopes 25-23.

GCU had 83 digs compared to 70 by UTA. The Mavericks led in hitting percentage .251 to .215.

The Lopes are back in action when they take on Sam Houston State at 9 a.m. in its final match of the Maverick Invitational.