GCU heads to Gonzaga Invitational

Friday, September 6

Spokane, Wash.

10 a.m.

Grand Canyon

Ball State

9/5/2019 12:38:00 PM | Volleyball

Lopes to face host team, Ball State, Montana

By: Sarah Woodward


Grand Canyon Lopes (3-0)	vs	Ball State Cardinals (1-2)	Gonzaga Bulldogs (3-0)	Montana Grizzlies (0-3)
		Friday, Sept. 6 10 a.m. (Phoenix time)	Friday, Sept. 6 6 p.m. (Phoenix time)	Saturday, Sept. 7 1 p.m. (Phoenix time)
Match Notes		Live Video Live Stats	Live Video Live Stats	Live Video Live Stats

The Grand Canyon women's volleyball team looks to continue its unbeaten streak this weekend at the Gonzaga Invitational in Spokane. GCU will face two teams, Ball State and Montana, for the first time in school history, while meeting Gonzaga for the fourth time. The Lopes are looking for their first win over the Bulldogs.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW

PERFECT RECORD: GCU went undefeated over opening weekend for the second time in head coach Tim Nollan's tenure. The first was in 2017 at the Syracuse Tournament.
FIVE-SET FRENZY: The Lopes battled to victories in two five-set matches last weekend. GCU won the final three sets against New Mexico and the first, fourth and fifth sets against Rutgers.
TRANSFER THREAT: Junior outside hitter and transfer Yeny Murillo proved to be an offensive threat for the Lopes, as she led GCU in kills in all three matches last weekend. She set a weekend-best kill total with 18 against New Mexico in the season opener.

SCOUTING

BALL STATE began the season with a split at home, as the Cardinals swept UAB and fell in five sets to South Florida. Ball State then faced Big 10 foe Purdue but lost in three sets on the road to fall to 1-2.

The Cardinals were 22-10 last season and 12-4 in Mid-American Conference play. They went on to face Valparaiso in the first round of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship, but lost 3-1. Friday's meeting between GCU and Ball State is the first ever.

GONZAGA opened the season with a three-game sweep at the Pentagon Invite with 3-0 victories over Connecticut and Air Force and a 3-1 win against Navy. This year's start is opposite of last season's start for the Bulldogs, who went 0-5 to start 2018.

The Zags were 11-18 overall and 8-10 in the West Coast Conference and didn't participate in postseason play. Friday night's contest between GCU and Gonzaga is the fourth all-time, with the Lopes seeking their first win.

MONTANA began the season with a winless opening weekend, as the Grizzlies were swept by UC Davis, Pacific and San Jose State. Last season, Montana was 10-21 overall and 7-11 in the Big Sky Conference. The Griz faced Idaho in the first round of the conference tournament, but lost in straight sets.

Saturday's game between GCU and Montana is the first in the programs' history.

LAST TIME OUT

GCU went undefeated at the Hampton Inn & Suites Northern Colorado Classic, defeating New Mexico, Rutgers and Northern Colorado.
Junior transfer outside hitter Yeny Murillo was named tournament MVP after tallying 47 kills in 14 sets.
Murillo, junior libero Teagan DeFalco and freshman setter Klaire Mitchell each earned a spot on the all-tournament team.

WHAT'S NEXT

GCU returns home for back-to-back tournaments in Phoenix, as the Lopes host Eastern Washington, UC Riverside and San Diego State on Sept. 13 and 14 to open the GCU Arena campaign. The Lopes remain on campus Sept. 20 and 21 to host Cal State Northridge, Idaho and Omaha at Antelope Gymnasium.