UCI's size too much for GCU

Friday, February 1

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 P.M.

Grand Canyon

6-5

UC Irvine

10-2

UCI

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Gillian Rea

2/1/2019 7:43:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Alex Nash

The Grand Canyon men's volleyball team fell in straight sets to No. 4 UC Irvine in front of a packed Antelope Gymnasium on Friday night. Set scores were 17-25, 18-25 and 21-25.

A crowd of 1,312 fans were in attendance to cheer on the Lopes but UCI used a strong blocking match to quiet the crowd. GCU (6-5) was bested in all categories except digs, edging the Anteaters (10-2) by three. The Lopes recorded one block, a season low. For only the second time all season, GCU was outblocked in the match.

The Anteaters feature two towering middle blockers with Austin Wimot at 6 feet 10 and reigning Big West Defensive Player of the Week Scott Stadick at 7 feet. The duo combined for eight of the team's 12 total blocks.

Freshman outside hitter Christian Janke was a bright spot for the Lopes, continuing his season-long streak of double-digit kills with a match-high 11 on Friday. Janke also led the Lopes in digs with six while senior opposite Will Schwob was right behind him with five digs and six kills. Freshman setter Heath Hughes earned the start in the second and third sets and led the Lopes with 20 assists. Senior middle blocker Alex Shmelev led all players with three aces, which her served in succession in the third set.

UCI looked to set the tone early, jumping out to a 5-2 lead in the first set. GCU responded with six of the next eight points to tie the set after a Schwob kill. However, UCI quickly showed why it was No. 4 in the nation and used scoring runs while also halting any GCU momentum to take a 23-15 lead. The Lopes secured the next two points but two Anteater kills put the set away.

The visitors were determined to silence the GCU crowd, scoring seven of the second set's first 10 points. The Lopes were unable to take the lead but a 4-0 run made it interesting late in the set. The score read 23-18 before UCI used a kill and an ace to take the set and a 2-0 lead.

In the third set, it was GCU that used an early lead, 5-2, to grab momentum. UCI fought back and started a battle, tying the score at 11. Shmelev stepped to the line and served three straight aces to give the Lopes a 14-11 lead and force a UCI timeout. The set was tied at 16 when the Anteaters took their first lead. They picked their spots and kept GCU at bay to close the set and earn the sweep.

GCU will continue the trend of back-to-back games Saturday as Charleston comes to Antelope Gym at 4 p.m. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides.