GCU sweeps No. 9 Stanford

Saturday, February 1

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

8-2,1-0MPSF

Stanford

4-4,0-1MPSF

Stanford

Grand Canyon

2/1/2020 8:24:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

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Lopes make program history with win in MPSF opener

By: Cassidy Mace

The Grand Canyon men's volleyball team made program history on Saturday night when it took down No. 9 Stanford in straight sets at home.

The win over the Cardinal marks the first time GCU (8-2, 1-0 MPSF) has defeated Stanford and extends the Lopes' winning streak to seven. GCU won 25-20, 25-28, 25-19 in front of 1,112 fans at Antelope Gymnasium.

"I am very proud of our execution tonight," Lopes head coach Matt Werle said. "We love playing in Antelope in front of the best fans in the country. We know that Stanford is missing their setter, but I am proud that our young group executed the scouting report, made some changes along the way and played with more personality than they have been. We are getting better and smarter. I am extremely pleased with tonight's match."

Freshman outside hitter Camden Gianni led the Lopes with 13 kills, seven digs, three service aces and a block assist, hitting .481 with no errors on the night. Fellow outside hitter Christian Janke contributed 12 kills, three service aces and three digs while hitting .476.

"We're all really excited to start the MPSF season off with Stanford at home," Gianni said. "I think we're all just ready to show the country that we're ready to be ranked. I think all the guys have worked their butts off all offseason to make sure that we came into this game prepared. We executed the scouting report. They changed a few things so we kind of had to adjust to that. But overall I think we did a great job."

Junior middle blocker Ian McLain picked up the first point for the Lopes in the first set, establishing the tone for a fast-paced match. Both teams kept it close early in the set before GCU pulled ahead 19-14 with a 6-1 run. Stanford (4-4, 0-1 MPSF) battled back to trail by two, but the Lopes closed it out for a 25-20 win. Gianni finished the set with three kills and two aces while Janke collected four kills and one ace. Sophomore opposite Hugo Fischer also collected four kills in the set for GCU.

The Lopes pulled ahead 12-6 in the second set thanks to three kills, an ace and a block assist from Gianni. GCU extended the lead to 17-8 before the Cardinal responded with a 5-0 run. The Lopes held onto their lead, following through for a 25-18 win and a 2-0 match lead.

The Lopes again took early command in the third set with a 10-6 lead that was led by three kills and an ace from Janke. The Cardinal fought back within two at 15-13 but kills from Gianni and Janke, as well as an ace from Fischer, pushed the Lopes ahead 19-15. Three errors from the Cardinal and one more kill each from Janke and Gianni set GCU up for match point, allowing McLain to secure the win with a kill.

The Lopes return to action on Saturday for their first road MPSF match of the season. GCU takes on USC at 8 p.m. in Los Angeles.