Ranked matches, opportunities for GCU

Thursday, March 14

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 P.M.

Grand Canyon

USC

Photo by: Katie Severns

3/13/2019 11:52:00 AM | Men's Volleyball

GCU Notes USC Notes

Lopes welcome No. 10 USC and No. 14 George Mason

By: Alex Nash

The Grand Canyon men's volleyball team looks to build on their momentum this week as No. 10 USC and No. 14 George Mason come to the Valley.

The Lopes (9-11, 0-6) are in a good position after taking down No. 9 Loyola Chicago in back-to-back five set thrillers last week. The wins snapped GCU's six match losing streak and marked the second and third time it has defeated a ranked opponent.

GCU's three match weekend will also signify the end of a nine-match stretch against Top-15 teams. If the Lopes were to sweep the weekend they would come out the other side better than .500 during the stretch.

Team momentum can be sustained by individuals building on theirs. Freshman libero Cole Udall is the reigning Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Defensive Player of the week after recording 25 digs in two matches, including a career-high 15 in the comeback win on Friday. Freshman setter Tanner Petchul is also coming off an impressive week after recording 49 assists off the bench and sparking GCU to a win on Saturday. Sophomore middle blocker Ian McLain had a coming out party on the weekend, nearly doubling his season kill and block totals. McLain ended with 18 kills, 11 blocks and a .419 hitting percentage. Sophomore opposite David Kisiel will be at full strength after sitting out on Friday and playing through the flu on Saturday. Despite the illness, Kisiel led the Lopes in kills with 17 on a team-high 4.38 hitting clip.

For the first time since Week 4 this season, GCU is receiving votes in the AVCA Coaches Poll. The Lopes started the season ranked but since fell out and are starting to work their way back up. Defense is to thank for the Lopes as they currently lead the MPSF in opponent hitting percentage and have held 14 of their 20 opponents under their season average.

This week's matches will take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and feature No. 10 USC followed by back-to-back tilts with No. 14 George Mason. First serve for every game is set for 6 p.m. (Phoenix time).

SCOUTING:

USC | Thursday, 6 p.m. | Phoenix, Ariz. | Antelope Gym

USC is in the midst of a four-match winning streak that includes two MPSF wins. Opposite Ryan Moss was named MPSF Offensive Player of the Week after recording 45 kills, 10 digs, two aces, two blocks on a .514 hitting percentage. This was Moss' third conference player of the week honor. The Trojans' focus this year has been on offense. USC ranks top-10 in assists per set, hitting percentage and kills per set. The match against GCU will be a quick road trip as the Trojans will return to Los Angeles to play Concordia-Irvine on Saturday. GCU is 2-3 all time against USC.

SCOUTING:

George Mason | Friday/Saturday, 6 p.m. | Phoenix, Ariz. | Antelope Gym

George Mason is off to a hot start this season, only losing four matches and have not lost more than one match in a row. Much like GCU, Mason has been strong on defense this season. The Patriots are top-10 in blocks per set, digs per set and opponent hitting percentage. The EIVA goes through Fairfax this year with George Mason leading the conference in assists per set, digs per set, hitting percentage, kills per set and opponent hitting percentage. These next three matches mean a week-long west coast trip for the Patriots as they take on No. 6 Pepperdine on Tuesday before GCU on Friday and Saturday. These will be the first MPSF teams GMU has played this season. This will be the ninth meeting between the Lopes and Patriots with GCU trailing the series, 3-5.