Lopes sweep CBU series in Riverside

Tuesday, March 9

Riverside, Calif.

4:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

8-2,8-2WAC

California Baptist

4-8,4-8WAC

Grand Canyon

California Baptist

3/9/2021 5:51:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Lifgren records match-high 14 kills in 2nd win against Lancers

By: Kellie Reynolds

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The Grand Canyon women's volleyball took Monday's momentum into Tuesday's match at California Baptist, defeating the Lancers 25-22, 25-17, 25-17 to win six consecutive sets and sweep the two-match WAC series.

"What a great offensive effort today," Lopes head coach Tim Nollan said. "We talked pregame about being better on that side of the ball and the girls came out and executed well. Our blockers did a great job against their hitters, giving us great opportunities in transitions."

After losing the opening point, the Lopes (8-2, 8-2 WAC) went on a four-point run highlighted by back-to-back kills by senior outside hitter Yeny Murillo. GCU pulled away in the middle of the set with a five-point run to make the score 20-14. The Lancers had a late run to cut the Lopes lead to 23-22. Sophomore setter Klaire Mitchell closed out the set with an ace.

GCU kept its momentum into the second set as it started out with a three-point lead. The Lopes pulled away toward the end of the set when they went on a four-point run to take a 21-14 lead. The Lopes secured the set win and 2-0 match lead when freshman outside hitter Ashley Lifgren recorded a kill and sophomore middle blocker Hannah Eskes and Mitchell shut down CBU with a block.

Senior libero K.J. Adams started the final set with an ace and on the following point Mitchell and Eskes combined for a block. The Lopes combined for three kills to take an 8-2 lead over the Lancers. GCU went on a four-point run to increase its lead to 20-14. The final point of the set ended the way it started with an Adams ace.

"Our passer also did a nice job in serve receive, making sure Klaire had all of her weapons available," Nollan said.

GCU, which is in second place in the WAC, will be back in conference action on Monday when it hosts Seattle U on 7 p.m. in the GCU Arena for Senior Night.