Lopes snag 1st sweep of WAC season

Saturday, October 1

Phoenix, Ariz.

3 p.m.

Grand Canyon

8-6,2-1WAC

California Baptist

6-8,1-2WAC

California Baptist

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Skyler Coblentz

10/1/2022 8:30:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

GCU's Taflinger records double-double; Mitchell posts 500th season assist

By: Adrianna Candelaria

The Grand Canyon women's volleyball team defeated California Baptist 25-17, 25-22, 25-11 for a Saturday sweep at GCU Arena.

The Lopes (8-6, 2-1 WAC) were led offensively by graduate student outside hitter Melanie Brecka with 15 kills and a solo block for 16 points while graduate student outside hitter Megan Taflinger returned from three weeks out with a double-double (10 kills, 10 digs).

Defense was a strongsuit for the Lopes as well, as GCU recorded eight blocks and 50 digs to CBU's one block and 40 digs. Freshman Libero Tatum Thomas led GCU with 16 digs while sophomore middle blocker Alissa Uhlenhop added a team-high four blocks.

But no offense could be complete without senior setter Klaire Mitchell, capping the Lopes 14th match of the season at 506 assists to keep pace on breaking her season high of 1,085.

While GCU maintained composure throughout the match, magic struck in the third set, when the Lopes crushed California Baptist 25-11. Mitchell served the Lopes to 7-0 in the third frame, beginning and capping her service run with aces. After a sideout kill from Taflinger, GCU went on a six-point scoring run with freshman outside hitter Tatum Parrott at the service line, to bring the scoreboard to 13-1.

With a combined block from Mitchell and Uhlenhop, Mitchell returned to the service line, to drive the Lopes to 23-9 before Uhlenhop and Taflinger posted the final two kills to finish off the Lancers (6-8, 1-2 WAC).

"I'm really proud of the team today," Lopes head coach Tim Nollan said. "We had a great week of practice, and it translated to the match today. Klaire was special, as always, running the offense like a star. Melanie had a great night, hitting for a monster clip and it was great to see Megan back in the lineup and get a double-double. I'm looking forward to another great week of training and two tough road matches next week."

The Lopes continue WAC play at Stephen F. Austin (15-2, 3-1 WAC) on Thursday and at UT Arlington (11-4, 3-0 WAC) on Saturday.