Lopes reach 20-win mark with 3-0 sweep

Friday, March 17

Phoenix, Ariz.

4 p.m.

Grand Canyon

20-1,5-1MPSF

Princeton

8-10,3-2EIVA

Princeton

Grand Canyon

3/17/2023 8:18:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

Lopes reach 20 win for the first time in program history

By: Jerob Moon

The Grand Canyon men's volleyball team wrapped up nonconference play with a 3-0 sweep over Princeton at GCU Arena on Friday.

The Lopes (20-1) hit the 20-win mark for the first time in program history as their magical season continues to rewrite the record book. A big part of the win was the control the Lopes had in the service game. In the win GCU recorded four service aces while limiting Princeton's (8-10) chances with a .957 serve reception in 44 total attempts. Redshirt junior outside hitter Camden Gianni led the Lopes with 13 kills on .458 hitting while adding three service aces.

The first set was decided in extra points with GCU prevailing 27-25. The set was close throughout with both teams trading points to the tune of 18 ties and four lead changes. The Lopes found themselves down late at 23-21 but they regrouped and ended the set on a 6-2 run to close it out. Redshirt senior outside hitter Christian Janke kicked off the run with his fourth kill of the set and redshirt sophomore Karter Rogers came off the bench and added a service ace to get GCU to match point.

Tied at 25-25 redshirt junior Jackson Hickman's kill and freshman middle blocker Cameron Thorne's block gave GCU a 1-0 lead. Gianni started his strong offensive night with five kills on .714 hitting.

GCU overcame an early deficit to win 25-22. Princeton jumped out to a 13-7 lead but the Lopes crawled back to tie up the match at 15-15 thanks to a 5-1 run. Tied at 20-20 late GCU closed out the set on a 5-2 run that was capped off by a second set ending block by Thorne. Gianni led the way offensively with six kills as the Lopes found a way to win the set despite hitting just .200, a match low.

The Lopes controlled the third set from the start winning 25-21 to finish the match. Tied at 11-11 GCU used a key 5-1 run to pull away and lead the rest of the way. Four different Lopes recorded a kill in the run and Gianni added a service ace. Hickman finished the match on a strong note tallying seven kills on .308 hitting.

The Lopes will be back in action next weekend as MPSF play resumes against Concordia on March 24 and 25 in GCU Arena.