GCU makes NIVC debut

Sunday, December 4

Wichita, Kan.

2:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Wichita State

12/3/2022 9:00:00 AM | Volleyball

Lopes play host Wichita State; winner faces Drake-Weber State victor on Monday

By: Adrianna Candelaria

Sunday, Dec. 4 \| 2:30 p.m. (Phoenix time) \| Charles Koch Arena \| Wichita, Kan.

	WICHITA STATE SHOCKERS (18-12)	vs.	GRAND CANYON LOPES (17-10)

WATCH: ESPN+ \| STATS: View

The Grand Canyon women's volleyball team will compete against Wichita State in the first round of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship on Sunday.

3 THINGS TO KNOW

Although the Lopes will meet the Shockers for the first time in program history, each team faced Wyoming this season, with GCU winning in four sets and Wichita State prevailing in five.
Lopes graduate libero Megan Taflinger previously played outside hitter for four years with the Shockers, ending in the spring of 2021.
Wichita State ranks 60th on the NCAA Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), while GCU sits at 126th.

SCOUTING WICHITA STATE

The Shockers won seven of their last eight matches to finish fourth in the American Athletic Conference standings.
Wichita State is led offensively by 6-foot-2 outside hitter Brylee Kelly, a redshirt junior, with 3.28 kills per set and junior setter Kayce Litzau with 9.98 assists per set, while junior libero Lily Liekwig leads the defense with 3.6 digs per set.
This season, Wichita State has hit .226 while GCU finished at .238.

LAST TIME OUT

GCU vs. Stephen F. Austin

GCU's historic seven-match sweep streak came to a close in a 3-1 fight (25-23, 26-28, 25-20, 25-18) against Stephen F. Austin, the eventual WAC champion, in the WAC Tournament semifinals.
The Lopes were led by senior setter Klaire Mitchell, who delivered 45 assists and matched her career high with 21 digs. Junior outside hitter Ashley Lifgren hit .241 to match a career high with 20 kills.
Freshman outside hitter Tatum Parrott posted 17 kills on .235 hitting with 16 digs.