Grand Canyon University Athletics
Saturday, February 8
Los Angeles, Calif.
8 p.m.
Grand Canyon
9-2,2-0MPSF
3
at
0
USC
2-9,0-2MPSF
1
2
3
F
Grand Canyon
25
25
25
3
Southern California
21
18
18
0
GCU nabs 8th straight win at USC
2/8/2020 9:57:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
Lopes take down Trojans in 1st MPSF road contest
LOS ANGELES – The Grand Canyon men's volleyball team extended its win streak to eight games on Saturday with a straight-set win over USC. The Lopes took down the Trojans (2-9, 0-2) for their first road win in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play.
Sophomore opposite Hugo Fischer led GCU (9-2, 2-0 MPSF) with 17 kills, zero errors, four digs, two blocks and .680 hitting. Lopes sophomore outside hitter Christian Janke also hit in the doubl digits, finishing the match with 15 kills, four digs, two aces, one solo block and one assist.
"I am so proud of the team tonight," GCU head coach Matt Werle said. "Our serving and passing game was great. We executed well against a team that was very tough to scout against. Changes were made and they were made quickly. The most impressive numbers come from our offense. Heath Hughes set a great tempo and kept their block off-balance. Our offense was unstoppable. I am very proud of the team tonight."
The Trojans (2-9, 0-2) kept if close to start the match, going point for point with the Lopes. GCU pulled ahead with a 6-1 run for a 19-14 lead in the first set. The Lopes capitalized on a series of errors from the Trojans to win 25-21. Janke led the Lopes with seven kills in the set with Fischer adding five.
USC pulled ahead 10-7 in the second set but GCU responded with a seven-point run while senior middle blocker Caleb Blazer was at the service line. Fischer contributed three kills and a block to the run to put the Lopes ahead 14-10. GCU extended the lead to 20-13 with another four-point run, but the Trojans battled to stay in the game. The Lopes finished the set 25-18 for a 2-0 match lead.
A GCU six-point scoring run contributed to a 9-3 lead in the third set. The Lopes held the lead through the remainder of the set, finishing with another 25-18 set win. Janke collected five kills and two aces to lead the Lopes in the final set.
GCU returns home to take on No. 2 BYU on Friday at GCU Arena with first serve at 6 p.m.
Sophomore opposite Hugo Fischer led GCU (9-2, 2-0 MPSF) with 17 kills, zero errors, four digs, two blocks and .680 hitting. Lopes sophomore outside hitter Christian Janke also hit in the doubl digits, finishing the match with 15 kills, four digs, two aces, one solo block and one assist.
"I am so proud of the team tonight," GCU head coach Matt Werle said. "Our serving and passing game was great. We executed well against a team that was very tough to scout against. Changes were made and they were made quickly. The most impressive numbers come from our offense. Heath Hughes set a great tempo and kept their block off-balance. Our offense was unstoppable. I am very proud of the team tonight."
The Trojans (2-9, 0-2) kept if close to start the match, going point for point with the Lopes. GCU pulled ahead with a 6-1 run for a 19-14 lead in the first set. The Lopes capitalized on a series of errors from the Trojans to win 25-21. Janke led the Lopes with seven kills in the set with Fischer adding five.
USC pulled ahead 10-7 in the second set but GCU responded with a seven-point run while senior middle blocker Caleb Blazer was at the service line. Fischer contributed three kills and a block to the run to put the Lopes ahead 14-10. GCU extended the lead to 20-13 with another four-point run, but the Trojans battled to stay in the game. The Lopes finished the set 25-18 for a 2-0 match lead.
A GCU six-point scoring run contributed to a 9-3 lead in the third set. The Lopes held the lead through the remainder of the set, finishing with another 25-18 set win. Janke collected five kills and two aces to lead the Lopes in the final set.
GCU returns home to take on No. 2 BYU on Friday at GCU Arena with first serve at 6 p.m.
Team Stats
GCU
USC
Kills
42
38
Errors
7
15
Attempts
77
86
Hitting %
.455
.267
Points
50
42
Assists
38
36
Aces
3
4
Blocks
5
0
Game Leaders
Kills
17
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
15
Aces
2
Blocks
1
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
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