Grand Canyon University Athletics
Photo by: Mathew McGraw
Gianni named two-time All-American honorable mention
5/2/2021 4:29:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
Freshman Camden Gianni is the first in GCU history to be named an All-American twice
Grand Canyon men's volleyball student-athlete Camden Gianni was named an All-American honorable mention by the National Volleyball Association and American Volleyball Coaches Association on Monday, becoming the first player in program history to earn the award twice.
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Gianni, a freshman outside hitter, was the second GCU men's volleyball student-athlete to be named an NVA/AVCA All-American honorable mention last season. The Carlsbad, Calif., native also earned MPSF Freshman of the Year for a second time this season after earning it in 2020.
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In his second season with the Lopes, Gianni led the team in kills (212) and aces (37), finishing the season with a .317 hitting percentage and averaging 4.00 kills a match. He finished the season ranked third in the NCAA in aces per set (.698) and fifth in points per set (4.96).
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Gianni finished the regular season ranked first in the MPSF in aces per set (0.65) and third in kills per set (3.76) and points per set (4.71), leading the freshman class in all three categories to earn MPSF Freshman of the Year. He was also named to the All-MPSF first team and All-Freshman team, the only freshman on the first team.
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In the MPSF tournament, Gianni tied his career-high with 24 kills and finished with only one error to help lead the Lopes to their first ever MPSF tournament win over USC. He also led the team with 15 kills and three aces in the conference semifinal vs. BYU, who went on to win the tournament.
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Gianni earned a spot in the GCU record book on March 17, tying the school record for single-match aces vs. USC. His seven aces in the match helped the Lopes set a new program record with 12 in the match.
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The freshman also helped the Lopes to a historic 3-0 win over then-No. 1 BYU on Feb. 25. He recorded 19 kills in the match while hitting .567 to help GCU to its first win over a top-ranked team.
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Gianni continues his success after being named an NVA/AVCA All-American honorable mention, MPSF Freshman of the Year, MPSF second team and All-Freshman team, as well as being named to the Off the Block All-Freshman team in 2020. He also was named GCU's Most Inspirational Athlete of 2019-20 for returning to play after going into cardiac arrest in December 2018 and undergoing open-heart surgery in January 2019.
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Gianni, a freshman outside hitter, was the second GCU men's volleyball student-athlete to be named an NVA/AVCA All-American honorable mention last season. The Carlsbad, Calif., native also earned MPSF Freshman of the Year for a second time this season after earning it in 2020.
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In his second season with the Lopes, Gianni led the team in kills (212) and aces (37), finishing the season with a .317 hitting percentage and averaging 4.00 kills a match. He finished the season ranked third in the NCAA in aces per set (.698) and fifth in points per set (4.96).
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Gianni finished the regular season ranked first in the MPSF in aces per set (0.65) and third in kills per set (3.76) and points per set (4.71), leading the freshman class in all three categories to earn MPSF Freshman of the Year. He was also named to the All-MPSF first team and All-Freshman team, the only freshman on the first team.
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In the MPSF tournament, Gianni tied his career-high with 24 kills and finished with only one error to help lead the Lopes to their first ever MPSF tournament win over USC. He also led the team with 15 kills and three aces in the conference semifinal vs. BYU, who went on to win the tournament.
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Gianni earned a spot in the GCU record book on March 17, tying the school record for single-match aces vs. USC. His seven aces in the match helped the Lopes set a new program record with 12 in the match.
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The freshman also helped the Lopes to a historic 3-0 win over then-No. 1 BYU on Feb. 25. He recorded 19 kills in the match while hitting .567 to help GCU to its first win over a top-ranked team.
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Gianni continues his success after being named an NVA/AVCA All-American honorable mention, MPSF Freshman of the Year, MPSF second team and All-Freshman team, as well as being named to the Off the Block All-Freshman team in 2020. He also was named GCU's Most Inspirational Athlete of 2019-20 for returning to play after going into cardiac arrest in December 2018 and undergoing open-heart surgery in January 2019.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's VolleyballSydney McCray Media Availability | 5.4.26
Monday, May 04
Emily Gonzalez Media Availability | 5.4.26
Monday, May 04
Jada Cooper Media Availability | 5.4.26
Monday, May 04
Natalie Fritz Media Availability | 5.4.26
Monday, May 04