Mitchell sets GCU career assist record in win

Monday, March 8

Riverside, Calif.

7:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

7-2,7-2WAC

California Baptist

4-7,4-7WAC

Grand Canyon

California Baptist

Photo by: CBU Athletics

3/8/2021 10:25:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Lopes breaks 3 program marks in 4-set victory at CBU

By: Kellie Reynolds

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Grand Canyon sophomore setter Klaire Mitchell broke the program's Division I-era career assists record and tied the four-set assist mark Monday night to lead the Lopes to a 25-27, 25-21, 25-14, 25-22 victory at California Baptist.

In the first match of a two-day series, senior outside hitter Yeny Murillo also broke a GCU Division I-era record for kills in a four-set match with 26 on Monday night.

"I am very proud of team as winning on the road is never easy and it is a learned skill," Lopes head coach Tim Nollan said. "Tonight, we got better, and we had some great performances."

Mitchell delivered 54 assists to bring her two-year career tally to 1,436 assists, breaking the previous record of 1,427 that was set in three seasons by Michelle Steagall (2014-16). Mitchell also tied the four-set record of 54 that she set Jan. 26 vs. Tarleton. Murillo's career-high 26 kills broke the Division I-era, four-set record of 22 kills, set by Shannon Dugan in 2014.

"Yeny Murillo had a great night and (freshman opposite) Ashley Lifgren looked comfortable in her first match back attacking, but Klaire Mitchell had a huge night," Nollan said. "Setting our career Division I assist record is a huge milestone and I could not be more proud of her. She is someone who works hard day in and day out. Her athleticism and ability to keep us in system is so crucial to our team's success. I look forward to watching her continue to grow and develop and break more records."

In the opening set, the Lopes (7-2, 7-2 WAC) went on a five-point run with two kills by Murillo. GCU maintained the lead until CBU (5-7, 4-7 WAC) went on four-point run to tie the set at 14-14. The Lancers held their lead until set point, but GCU managed to force extra play before dropping the opening set.

GCU took the opening two points of the second set with kills from Murillo and sophomore middle blocker Hannah Eskes. In the middle of the set, the Lopes went on a six-point run to lead 16-9. CBU went on a run to close the gap but consecutive kills by opposite Sarah Hagge, Lifgren and middle blocker Kaira Moss made it 21-16. Moss sealed the deal with a kill that tied the match at 1-1.

Four kills in a row by Murillo and an attacking error by the Lancers gave GCU a 6-2 lead to open the third set. GCU put together a few three-point runs to take a 16-7 lead. Murillo closed out the third set for the Lopes.

In the final set, the Lopes took a 15-8 lead over the Lancers with play that was highlighted by a Murillo kill and a block by freshman opposite Hope Hanak-Harper and Eskes. CBU went on a seven-point run to tie the set at 17-17. The teams went back and forth until the Lopes won the last three points to win the set and the match on Murillo's 26th kill.

"Now we need to rest up and get ready for another one," Nollan said of a Lopes-Lancers rematch at 4 p.m. (Phoenix time) on Tuesday in Van Dyne Gym.