Solid defense not enough vs. UCLA

Friday, March 1

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 P.M.

Grand Canyon

7-11, 0-6

UCLA

14-4, 6-0

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
UCLA	25	21	25	25	3
Grand Canyon	20	25	23	23	1

Photo by: Gillian Rea

3/1/2019 9:38:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

Lopes record 12 blocks, force service errors but fall to No. 6

By: Alex Nash

The Grand Canyon men's volleyball team put on a show Friday night at GCU Arena but came up short against No. 6 UCLA in four sets by scores of 20-25, 25-21, 23-25 and 23-25.

For the second time in as many home matches, GCU (7-11, 0-6) had one of the nation's top teams on the ropes but just couldn't get over the final hurdles.

"I think it's just execution at certain parts of the game," Lopes freshman outside hitter Christian Janke said. "Our scouting reports are fantastic and on point. It's just execution at the end."

The Bruins (14-4, 6-0) had the edge in kills and assists on the night but the difference maker came at the service line. UCLA had 26 service errors in front of a rowdy GCU Arena. The Lopes built off the errors and kept the Bruins out of system, thanks to strong defense by way of 12 blocks (five solo) and 28 digs.

Janke led the Lopes with an impressive performance on both sides of the net. He split the kills lead (13) with sophomore opposite David Kisiel and led the team in digs with eight while hitting .364. Middle blocker Alex Shmelev and setter Onur Cukur led the Lopes' blocking efforts with six and five, respectively.

The first set, in more ways than one, previewed the entire match. UCLA took slight leads but could not pull away from the Lopes. Just over halfway through the first set, the score was deadlocked at 16 after a Bruin service error. Back-to-back kills gave them an advantage that they did not let go to waste. The largest lead of the match came at the end when a kill ended the set 25-20. Struggles from the line defined the first set with UCLA serving seven errors while the Lopes had six.

The Lopes responded in the second set by jumping out to a 6-1 lead, thanks to kills from four players and a solo block from senior outside hitter Will Schwob. After a UCLA timeout, Shmelev and Cukur kept the run going, teaming up for a block that was soon followed by a Scwhob kill to give GCU a seven-point lead. UCLA fought back but the service errors continued. On five occasions, the Bruins came within three points before missing a serve until GCU led 21-18. The last points went back and forth with Janke and Kisiel landing kills to keep GCU ahead. Up 24-21, GCU called a timeout to halt UCLA's momentum and it worked as UCLA sent a serve into the net to tie the match at a set apiece.

Set No. 3 had a similar feeling to the one before it with GCU jumping out early, scoring five of six points for an 8-4 lead. UCLA responded with two 4-0 runs and scoring eight of nine points to retake the lead, forcing GCU into a timeout as it trailed 16-12. The Lopes stayed in it, though, using kills and blocks from Janke, Shmelev and junior middle blocker Caleb Blazer to cut UCLA's lead to 21-20. However, it would not be enough as the Bruins landed a kill to end it. The Lopes held the visitors to a .200 hitting percentage but also hit their worst on the night at .083.

The fourth set, like the entire match, was an all-out battle. The two sides were tied at nine and refused to budge but GCU eventually took a 14-12 lead on a Schwob solo block. The Bruins proved why they are the No. 6 team by using a 3-0 run to tie the score at 19. Back-and-forth play ensued with five ties over the course of 10 points. It was Schwob that broke things up again, with a kill that gave GCU a 23-22 edge. UCLA rallied to secure the next three points and took the match 3-1.

Friday night's match marked the first of seven straight home games for the Lopes. GCU will get a small break from MPSF play but that does not mean a break from tough opponents. No. 7 Loyola-Chicago will visit Antelope Gym for two matches on March 8 and 9 with both first serves set for 6 p.m. (Phoenix time).