Lopes leave door open for Western Michigan

Saturday, September 10

Cedar Falls, Iowa

8 a.m.

Grand Canyon

6-2,0-0WAC

Western Michigan

5-3,0-0MAC

Grand Canyon

Western Mich.

Photo by: Adrianna Candelaria

9/10/2022 11:43:00 AM | Volleyball

Box Score 131558.XML

GCU drops 2-0 lead to send match to 5 sets

By: Adrianna Candelaria

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – After a tireless five-set battle with Southeast Missouri on Friday night, the Grand Canyon women's volleyball team entered McLeod Center looking fresh and fierce, taking a quick 2-0 lead Saturday morning above Western Michigan before allowing the Broncos to run away with the UNI Tournament match.

GCU pushed the envelope early, shutting down Western Michigan 25-16 and 25-15 but fell out of rhythm late in the third set for a 25-18 defeat. That opened the door for a fourth set (a 25-17 loss) and a fifth frame (a 15-10 loss).

"We started the match off well but started to have difficulty with our defense in the third set and were unable to defend at a level that would give us a chance to win," GCU head coach Tim Nollan said.

Freshman outside hitter Tatum Parrott led the Lopes with 17 kills, three aces, one solo block and one block assist for a total of 21.5 points, while freshman libero Tatum Thomas led the team with 20 digs, and senior setter Klaire Mitchell posted 48 assists.

"We will have to rest and prepare to do better against a very good UNI team tonight," Nollan said.

The Lopes will face tournament host Northern Iowa at 5 p.m. (Phoenix time).