Grand Canyon University Athletics
Saturday, January 14
Fairfax, Va.
3 p.m.
Grand Canyon
4-0,0-0MPSF
3
vs
2
Ohio State
1-2,0-0MIVA
1
2
3
4
5
F
Ohio St.
25
18
23
25
10
2
Grand Canyon
23
25
25
18
15
3
Photo by: Zach Campbell
Trip ends with 3-2 comeback win vs. No. 14 Ohio State
1/14/2023 6:07:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
Lopes pick up 1st win over Buckeyes since 2015 in 5-set thriller
FAIRFAX, Va. – The Grand Canyon men's volleyball team passed its first test of the 2023 season with flying colors as it took down No. 14 Ohio State in five sets to complete a two-match road trip.
No. 9 GCU (4-0) is off to its best start since 2018 and it had to come back after dropping the first set against the Buckeyes (1-2). Lopes junior outside hitter Jackson Hickman recorded double-digit kills for the fourth straight match and led the team with 16 kills and 18 points.
In the first set, Ohio State won 25-23 by hitting .538 in the frame and getting nine GCU service errors, a theme that was prevalent throughout the match. The Lopes fell behind early and were able to tie the set on five occasions, including at 18-18 but were unable to take the lead. The teams traded the final 11 points with OSU winning the set on a GCU service error.
Down 1-0 for the first time this season, the Lopes responded with a strong 25-18 second set. The offense hit a groove as GCU committed only one attacking error and added a pair of service aces from redshirt freshman Jonah Gilbert and sophomore Karter Rogers off the bench. GCU led wire to wire in the set and pulled away late with a 6-1 run to lead 22-15.
The third set was another close one with the Lopes coming out on top 25-23. Both offenses were strong and the Lopes limited the mistakes, especially at the service line with only three errors compared to the Buckeyes' eight. For the second straight set, the Lopes led the entire set and pulled away with a late 5-1 run to lead 21-16. Hickman collected four kills to lead the offense for the Lopes.
Up 2-1, GCU was unable to put Ohio State away as the Buckeyes forced a fifth set with a 25-18 win. OSU fired on all cylinders on offense, hitting a match-high .636 with just two service errors. Buckeyes junior outside hitter Jacob Pasteur had seven of his match-high 20 kills in the frame while GCU hit a match-low .250.
Tied at 2-2 and with momentum going to the Buckeyes, the Lopes buckled down in the fifth set for a 15-9 win. GCU saved its best defensive set for last, limiting Ohio State to -.143 hitting. After OSU's Pasteur scored the first point, the Lopes rattled off a 4-0 run that ended with a combination from senior middle blocker Colin Lovejoy and Gilbert. That three-point lead grew to five when Lovejoy partnered with sophomore setter Nicholas Slight for another block.
The match ended with an attacking error by the Buckeyes, giving the Lopes their first win over Ohio State since 2015.
GCU will enjoy next week off before facing Erskine and UC San Diego at GCU Arena on Jan. 27 and 29.
No. 9 GCU (4-0) is off to its best start since 2018 and it had to come back after dropping the first set against the Buckeyes (1-2). Lopes junior outside hitter Jackson Hickman recorded double-digit kills for the fourth straight match and led the team with 16 kills and 18 points.
In the first set, Ohio State won 25-23 by hitting .538 in the frame and getting nine GCU service errors, a theme that was prevalent throughout the match. The Lopes fell behind early and were able to tie the set on five occasions, including at 18-18 but were unable to take the lead. The teams traded the final 11 points with OSU winning the set on a GCU service error.
Down 1-0 for the first time this season, the Lopes responded with a strong 25-18 second set. The offense hit a groove as GCU committed only one attacking error and added a pair of service aces from redshirt freshman Jonah Gilbert and sophomore Karter Rogers off the bench. GCU led wire to wire in the set and pulled away late with a 6-1 run to lead 22-15.
The third set was another close one with the Lopes coming out on top 25-23. Both offenses were strong and the Lopes limited the mistakes, especially at the service line with only three errors compared to the Buckeyes' eight. For the second straight set, the Lopes led the entire set and pulled away with a late 5-1 run to lead 21-16. Hickman collected four kills to lead the offense for the Lopes.
Up 2-1, GCU was unable to put Ohio State away as the Buckeyes forced a fifth set with a 25-18 win. OSU fired on all cylinders on offense, hitting a match-high .636 with just two service errors. Buckeyes junior outside hitter Jacob Pasteur had seven of his match-high 20 kills in the frame while GCU hit a match-low .250.
Tied at 2-2 and with momentum going to the Buckeyes, the Lopes buckled down in the fifth set for a 15-9 win. GCU saved its best defensive set for last, limiting Ohio State to -.143 hitting. After OSU's Pasteur scored the first point, the Lopes rattled off a 4-0 run that ended with a combination from senior middle blocker Colin Lovejoy and Gilbert. That three-point lead grew to five when Lovejoy partnered with sophomore setter Nicholas Slight for another block.
The match ended with an attacking error by the Buckeyes, giving the Lopes their first win over Ohio State since 2015.
GCU will enjoy next week off before facing Erskine and UC San Diego at GCU Arena on Jan. 27 and 29.
Team Stats
OSU
GCU
Kills
60
47
Errors
19
16
Attempts
108
95
Hitting %
.380
.326
Points
70
60
Assists
59
45
Aces
4
6
Blocks
6
7
Game Leaders
Kills
16
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
11
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
9
Aces
2
Blocks
0
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Players Mentioned
OPP
/ Men's VolleyballOH
/ Men's VolleyballMB
/ Men's Volleyball
OH
/ Men's Volleyball
S
/ Men's VolleyballGCU Women's Basketball at San José State - Postgame with Julianna LaMendola
Monday, December 29
Jules ends the 3rd quarter with a bucket
Monday, December 29
GCU Men's Basketball vs. IU Indy - Postgame with Coach Drew
Tuesday, December 23
GCU Men's Basketball vs. IU Indy - Postgame with Jaden Henley, Makaih Williams
Tuesday, December 23