Hitters dominate in 5-set WAC win

Thursday, October 17

Bakersfield, Calif.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

15-4, 5-2WAC

CSU Bakersfield

7-12, 2-5WAC

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Grand Canyon	25	23	21	25	15	3
CSU Bakersfield	18	25	25	17	13	2

10/17/2019 9:51:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

GCU jumps to 2nd in conference standings

By: Sarah Woodward

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – In its first five-set conference battle of the season, the Grand Canyon volleyball offense came alive to win at CSU Bakersfield on Thursday night.

The Lopes (15-4, 5-2 WAC) downed the Roadrunners (7-12, 2-5) with set scores of 25-18, 23-25, 21-25, 25-17 and 15-13. GCU is 4-1 in five full-set matches this season and is tied for second place in the WAC with Kansas City.

"Tonight was a test of will for our team," Lopes head coach Tim Nollan said. "We have been battling some injuries and illness and before the match. We talked about not letting any of it be an excuse. We were determined to get the win and we found a way.

"Give Bakersfield credit. We had to make some adjustments after the second set and midway through the third, but we were able to execute them when it mattered."

Sophomore middle blocker Kaira Moss tallied a career-high 20 kills on .385 hitting to pace the Lopes offense in the victory while adding a solo block, five block assists and four digs to her impressive resume.

GCU's attackers were exceptionally efficient, including freshman Hannah Eskes with a career-best 10 kills on .625 hitting in just three sets of work with no errors. The middle blocker added a trio of block assists and a dig for 11.5 points in the match.

"Tonight's five-set win was a team effort, from the energy on the sidelines to the court," Eskes said. "With our consistent passing and defense, we were able to be successful in the middle and produce points for the team."

Lopes senior Melody Horton added 11 kills for her ninth double-digit performance this season. The outside hitter completed the double-double with 14 digs and added three blocks.

Sophomore Annabelle Kubinski contributed eight kills on .700 hitting in two sets while freshman setter Klaire Mitchell tallied four kills on .500 hitting and 53 assists, her second highest total of the season. Sophomore outside hitter Kayla Matthews added a season-high six kills while junior libero Teagan DeFalco led the Lopes from the back row with 23 digs.

GCU started the night hot with an early 10-5 run and never looked back as it clinched the first set, 25-18. The Roadrunners came back in the second and third sets, taking a 2-1 match lead after back-and-forth action.

Tied 14-14 in the fourth, GCU used a 6-0 run to go ahead and another lengthy 5-3 run to win the set, 25-17, and tie the match.

With the Lopes down 13-12 in the fifth set, GCU went on a 3-0 run to seal the road victory, thanks to a pair of kills from Eskes and a kill from Moss.

GCU ends its four-game road stretch at California Baptist (9-10, 3-3) on Saturday. The Lopes and the Lancers face off at 1 p.m. inside Van Dyne Gym.