No. 5 Lopes top No. 8 BYU in 5-set thriller

Saturday, March 4

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

16-1,5-1MPSF

BYU

10-6,2-4MPSF

BYU

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Skyler Coblentz

3/4/2023 10:00:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

Series sweep comes as 4 Lopes record double-digit kills in 3-2 win

By: Jerob Moon

The No. 5 Grand Canyon men's volleyball team improved to 11-0 at home with a 3-2 win over No. 8 BYU in GCU Arena on Saturday night.

In front of 2,567 fans, the Lopes (15-1, 5-1 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) rallied from 1-0 and 2-1 match deficits to prevail 17-15 in the fifth set after being tied at 14-14. Four Lopes gave double-digit kill performances, led by senior outside hitter Christian Janke's 17 kills.

BYU (10-6, 2-4 MPSF) led the final set 10-8, but a 4-0 GCU run put the Lopes back in the lead. Tied at 15-15, junior outside hitter Jackson Hickman closed out the match with a kill and a service ace, his fourth of the night.

The Lopes were strong from the service line, holding a 12-5 advantage in aces while also limiting the Cougars service game with a .940 reception percentage on 79 serves.

The fifth set followed a dramatic fourth set that GCU won 25-17 to even the match. Sophomore setter Nicholas Slight commanded the offense, collecting 11 of his 50 assists as five players recorded a kill. Leading 11-10, the Lopes shut the door with a 9-1 run that put them up 19-11. Sophomore Karter Rogers came off the bench and ended the set with an ace.

For just the fourth time this season, the Lopes dropped the first set with BYU winning 25-22. Both teams were nearly identical on the stat sheet with each team hitting. 310 and GCU edging BYU 14-13 in kills. The Cougars delivered two more service aces and the Lopes had one more service error for the three-point difference. BYU also showcased its defense in the third set, recording six blocks in a 25-19 win to lead the match 2-1.

Despite the strong showing in blocks from BYU, the Lopes held the advantage with 66 kills, 60 assists and 40 digs.

The Lopes will continue their 10-match homestand when they welcome No. 12 Ball State to GCU Arena on Wednesday at 6 p.m.