Blocks knock out Utah Valley

Saturday, October 5

Orem, Utah

12 p.m.

Grand Canyon

9-5,2-1WAC

Utah Valley

10-6,1-3WAC

Grand Canyon

Utah Valley

Photo by: Jack Gilday

10/5/2024 2:47:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

GCU racks up 16 stuffs at net; Parrott returns with 13 kils, 9 digs

By: Paul Coro

OREM, Utah – Grand Canyon's net defense is building success block by block.

GCU swept Utah Valley on the road Saturday, winning 28-26, 25-14, 25-21 by recording the most blocks (16) in a three-set match in the program's 12-year Division I history.

It was the Lopes' fourth match with 16 or more blocks this season after not doing so once since 2019 and having only five matches of 16 or more blocks in the program's D-I era previously. Four of those previous five instances needed five sets to reach a block tally that the Lopes (9-5, 2-1 WAC) did swiftly in three sets Saturday.

The GCU tandem of middle blockers Aubrey Goodere and Trista Strasser helped the Lopes take control after a tight first set. GCU notched 13 of its blocks in the second and third sets with Goodere, a freshman, finishing the match with a season-high nine blocks (one solo, eight assists) and Strasser, a graduate, adding seven solos.

With Strasser entering the match ranked 15th nationally for blocks, the Lopes were No. 25 at 2.7 blocks per set before nearly doubling that pace Saturday (5.3 per set).

"It was a solid performance today, especially from our block" GCU head coach Kendra Potts said. "UVU has a dynamic offense and two very good outsides. We contained them the entire match.

"We were also consistent and aggressive from the service line, which allowed our block to have quality reads."

GCU held Utah Valley to .035 hitting, the lowest for a Lopes opponent since 2022. But the Wolverines began the match well with a 6-1 lead, keeping GCU from taking its first lead until junior outside hitter Tatum Parrott and a Utah Valley error put the Lopes ahead 22-21.

GCU earned four set points before taking a 1-0 match lead when Strasser teamed with junior opposite Magdalena Juric for a block and a 28-26 set win.

The Lopes took complete command in the second set, storming to an 11-2 lead with five of the points coming on blocks involving five players and three points on service aces by freshman setter Taylor Kubacack.

GCU kept the second-set lead at nine points or more and hit .233 to win 25-14, a roll that carried over into a 5-1 start to the third set with two more blocks.

The Lopes never trailed in the final two sets but did have the third-set lead trimmed to one point on five occasions. Juric's successive block and kill gave GCU a 20-17 cushion. Parrott's final two kills helped close out the Lopes' third sweep win in their past five matches.

In her first action since spraining an ankle on Sept. 15, Parrott finished Saturday with a match-high 13 kills, nine digs and four blocks.

"It was great to have Tatum today," Potts said. "I am proud of the entire team and their performance as well. We want to continue to build on this win and grow as we get further into conference play."

GCU returns home Monday for a 6 p.m. conference match against California Baptist at Global Credit Union Arena.