GCU welcomes Dixie State for afternoon matchup

Saturday, November 6

Phoenix, Ariz.

3 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Dixie State

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11/5/2021 10:28:00 AM | Volleyball

Lopes enter in 3-way tie for 1st place in WAC West Division

By: Kellie Reynolds


Grand Canyon Lopes (16-5, 8-4 WAC)	vs.	Dixie State Trailblazers (5-14, 4-7 WAC)
		Saturday, Nov. 6 3 p.m.
GCU game notes Dixie State game notes		Live video Live stats

Grand Canyon closes the regular season with two home matches. The Lopes take on Dixie State on Saturday after falling to the Trailblazers in St. George two months ago. After defeating Utah Valley on Thursday night, the Lopes jumped back into a three-way tie for first place in the WAC West Division with New Mexico State and California Baptist.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW

WAC STANDINGS: The Lopes are back in a three-way tie for first place in the WAC West Division after they defeated Utah Valley on Thursday night in four sets. GCU is tied with New Mexico State and California Baptist, who are also 8-4 in WAC play.
NCAA RANKINGS: Graduate libero Teagan DeFalco ranks 19th in the nation for digs per set at 5.17 while junior setter Klaire Mitchell ranks 61st in assists per set at 10.12.
TWO HOME MATCHES: The Lopes regular season is coming to a close with two home matches left — Saturday against Dixie State and Thursday with Chicago State.

SCOUTING

Dixie State enters GCU Arena with a 5-14 record, including a 4-7 mark in the WAC. The Trailblazers and Lopes met in September in St. George, where GCU fell to Dixie State in three sets. The Trailblazers' four WAC wins came against GCU, California Baptist, Seattle and Abilene Christian. Dixie State closes out the season with home matches against Seattle U and CBU next week.

Freshman outside hitter Hannah Howard leads the Trailblazers in kills (167), kills per set (2.49) and points per set (2.77). Howard is also second in points (185.5). Fellow freshman Kate Hardy has a team best in points (186) and is second in points per set (2.70). Hardy has been the Trailblazers' biggest threat, totaling 81 blocks with 15 solo blocks. Setter Jordyn Nelson has a team-best 5.38 assists per set and 312 assists. The senior also has 10 service aces and 119 digs with 2.05 digs per set. Sophomore libero Mykenna Nelson leads the Trailblazers in digs with 326 and 4.66 digs per set. The Phoenix native is also fourth in aces with 11. Senior Megan Treanor has a team-best 15 aces and .37 aces per set.

Last time out, the Trailblazers fell 3-0 at New Mexico State on Thursday night. Sophomore outside hitter Bridgett Talia had a team-best 13 kills and added a block.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Lopes host Chicago State on Thursday at 6 p.m. in GCU Arena for their final regular-season match. GCU will honor seniors Kayla Matthews and Teagan DeFalco before the match.