Grand Canyon University Athletics
Photo by: Zach Campbell
Wardlow earns MPSF defensive honors
2/20/2023 5:45:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
GCU middle blocker leads defense in pair of road wins
Fresh off two road wins in the opening weekend of conference play, Grand Canyon men's volleyball junior middle blocker Rico Wardlow was named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Defensive Player of the Week.
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Wardlow was the driving force behind No. 5 GCU's defense, as it extended its unbeaten streak to 13-0 to sit atop the conference standings after the first weekend. In two wins gainst No. 12 USC, Wardlow led the team with 10 blocks in eight sets and added four digs.
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In Wednesday's first match, Wardlow and the GCU defense limited USC's offensiive attack to just .239 hitting and 23 attacking errors. The Lopes had 10.5 total blocks as Wardlow led the way with four block assists in the 3-1 win. In the second match Friday, Wardlow made his presence known by collecting a team-high six block assists to go with four digs as GCU came back from a 1-0 deficit to win 3-1. The Lopes added 11 blocks and held USC to .257 hitting on 109 attacks.
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This was the first time the Lopes have recorded double-digit blocks this season.
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Wardlow is having an excellent debut season at GCU. After joining the team from Purdue Fort Wayne over the summer, the Bolingbrook, Illinois, native has been an all-around performer. Through 13 matches, Wardlow leads the team with 34 blocks and a hitting percentage at .550 with 77 kills, which ranksf third on the team.
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Wardlow and the Lopes will hit the road again this week, traveling to No. 7 Pepperdine as MPSF play continues Wednesday and Friday.
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Wardlow was the driving force behind No. 5 GCU's defense, as it extended its unbeaten streak to 13-0 to sit atop the conference standings after the first weekend. In two wins gainst No. 12 USC, Wardlow led the team with 10 blocks in eight sets and added four digs.
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In Wednesday's first match, Wardlow and the GCU defense limited USC's offensiive attack to just .239 hitting and 23 attacking errors. The Lopes had 10.5 total blocks as Wardlow led the way with four block assists in the 3-1 win. In the second match Friday, Wardlow made his presence known by collecting a team-high six block assists to go with four digs as GCU came back from a 1-0 deficit to win 3-1. The Lopes added 11 blocks and held USC to .257 hitting on 109 attacks.
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This was the first time the Lopes have recorded double-digit blocks this season.
Â
Wardlow is having an excellent debut season at GCU. After joining the team from Purdue Fort Wayne over the summer, the Bolingbrook, Illinois, native has been an all-around performer. Through 13 matches, Wardlow leads the team with 34 blocks and a hitting percentage at .550 with 77 kills, which ranksf third on the team.
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Wardlow and the Lopes will hit the road again this week, traveling to No. 7 Pepperdine as MPSF play continues Wednesday and Friday.
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Players Mentioned
MB
/ 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