WAC slate opens in Chicago

Thursday, September 26

Chicago, Ill.

5 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Chicago State

9/25/2019 10:04:00 AM | Volleyball

GCU to play Chicago State, Kansas City on road

By: Sarah Woodward


Grand Canyon Lopes (10-2)	vs	Chicago State Cougars (4-10)	Kansas City Roos (4-6)
		Thursday, Sept. 26 5 p.m. (Phoenix time)	Monday, Sept. 30 5 p.m. (Phoenix time)
Match Notes		Live Stats	Live Video Live Stats Tickets

The Grand Canyon volleyball team looks to bring its nonconference momentum into WAC play, as the Lopes (10-2) open the conference slate at Chicago State on Thursday and at Kansas City on Monday.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW

AT THE TOP: Following its best nonconference record in Division I history, the Lopes sit atop the WAC with a 10-2 record heading into conference play. New Mexico State is one win behind at 9-3 while Seattle U is third with a 9-5 record. The Lopes, Aggies and Redhawks are the only three teams with winning records.
SETS UP: Freshman setter Klaire Mitchell is establishing herself as a multi-faceted player for the Lopes. Not only is Mitchell leading in assists with 439 on the season to rank fifth all-time in GCU Division I history, she's active on offense with 45 kills and a .396 hitting percentage. At the net, she also has tallied two solo blocks and 24 block assists.
ALL-TOURNAMENT: The Lopes had at least one player named to the all-tournament team at each of the four nonconference events, including Yeny Murillo, Klaire Mitchell (two), Teagan DeFalco (three), Sarah Hagge, Melody Horton and Kaira Moss.

SCOUTING

CHICAGO STATE began the season on a three-game losing streak in Fort Collins, Colo., as the Cougars fell to Colorado State, Oklahoma and California. CSU earned its first win of the season over Northern Illinois and followed it with a 2-1 weekend at home, including wins over Alabama State and Western Carolina.

The Cougars downed St. Francis College for their fourth win but head into Thursday's match on a six-match losing streak.

KANSAS CITY opened the season with a loss to Kansas before finishing 1-2 at its tournament with a win over Louisiana Tech. The Roos also finished 1-2 at the Mizzou Invitational with a win against Austin Peay but improved to 2-1 at the Jackrabbit Invitational by beating both Valparaiso and South Dakota State.

Kansas City opens the WAC on Thursday against CSU Bakersfield and hosts California Baptist on Saturday before welcoming the Lopes to Swinney Arena on Monday. The Roos rank seventh in the WAC with a record of 4-6 following nonconference play.

LAST TIME OUT

GCU closed out the nonconference slate with a 2-1 showing in the Grand Canyon Classic, including a win over Idaho in four sets and a come-from-behind victory against Omaha in the finale.
Junior Teagan DeFalco was named All-Tournament Libero after a stellar weekend and went on to win her first WAC Defensive Player of the Week accolade of the season. She set a GCU Division I record for digs in a four-set match with 28 against Cal State Northridge.
Sophomore middle blocker Kaira Moss was named to the All-Tournament Team as well.