Winning streak hits 6 with sweep

Wednesday, January 29

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

7-2,0-0MPSF

Benedictine

0-5

Benedictine Mesa

Grand Canyon

1/29/2020 8:32:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Lopes defeat Benedictine at Antelope Gymnasium

By: Cassidy Mace

The Grand Canyon men's volleyball team picked up its sixth straight win on Wednesday night in Antelope Gymnasium. The Lopes (7-2) took down Benedictine (3-6) in straight sets to move to 3-0 at home with a 25-19, 26-24, 25-18 victory.

GCU sophomore outside hitter Christian Janke led the team with 11 kills and added one service ace, two digs, one solo block and one block assist. Fellow outside hitter Camden Gianni, a redshirt freshman, also hit in double digits with 10 kills, two assists, two blocks and two digs. Junior middle blocker Ian McLain hit the best percentage for the Lopes, clocking in at .545 with seven kills, one assist and three block assists.

"It was a great team win in a really good atmosphere," Janke said. "It feels good to be back at home. I think tonight was about focusing on ourselves. We weren't worried about the other team. We were just trying to work on things, make sure we're playing our game and I think we succeeded with that."

Benedictine got off to a good start against the Lopes, taking a 6-4 lead. The Lopes answered with a 6-1 run, featuring back-to-back blocks to take the lead at 12-8. After tying it back up at 14-14, the Redhawks fell behind for the remainder of the set, allowing the Lopes to win the first set 25-19. Gianni led the team in the first set, collecting five kills.

The second set was the most competitive, going into extra points. The Redhawks took an early lead again at 6-2, with the Lopes struggling to take it back. It wasn't until GCU went on a five-point run that the Lopes pulled ahead at 23-21. Benedictine kept it close, tying the score at 24-24 before a set of Redhawks errors gave GCU the 26-24 set win and a 2-0 match lead.

The Lopes came out with their strongest start in the third set, when GCU never trailed. Janke picked up five kills and an ace in the set, setting the Lopes up for match point at 24-15 with a kill. The Redhawks fought back to 24-18, but an error sealed the match at 25-18.

GCU returns to action Saturday at Antelope Gymnasium. The Lopes host No. 9 Stanford for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation opener at 6 p.m.