Rogers' career night leads 11th consecutive win

Saturday, February 17

Provo, Utah

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

11-0,2-0MPSF

BYU

9-5,0-2MPSF

Grand Canyon

BYU

Photo by: BYU Athletics

2/17/2024 10:26:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

GCU outside hitter sets multiple career highs in 3-0 shutout

By: Jerob Moon

PROVO, Utah – The second-ranked Grand Canyon men's volleyball team made a statement on Saturday night with a second straight 3-0 victory over sixth-ranked BYU at the Smith Fieldhouse.

GCU (11-0, 2-0 MPSF) defended its national ranking and extended the nation's longest winning streak with .427 hitting mark and a service game that controlled the pace of play. The Lopes wrap up the longest swing of road matches all season with six wins and only one dropped set.

The Lopes started the match by hitting .417 en route to a 25-21 first-set win, silencing the 4,149 fans at Smith Fieldhouse. Junior setter Nicholas Slight kept BYU (9-5, 0-2 MPSF) on its toes defenisvely by spreading the attacking chances to every player on the floor. Five Lopes recorded two or more kills in the se, led by junior outside hitter Karter Rogers' three kills on five swings.

It was the beginning of a great match for Rogers, who tied a career high with 10 kills on .533 hitting and added a career-best five aces and six blocks.

"I just trusted the work that we have been putting in," Rogers said. "I trust Nic (setter Nicholas Slight) too. We've been working on our connection for the last few years now, and it's finally starting to click. Our coaches do a good job with scouting and putting us where we need to be while trusting the work we put in."

After leading wire to wire in the first set, the Lopes pressed their advantage to win the second set 25-20. Senior opposite Camden Gianni led the way with six kills while Rogers added two more aces. The GCU defense was stout, collecting 12 block assists, with four coming from sophomore middle blocker Cameron Thorne. The Lopes limited the Cougars attack to just .167 hitting in the set.

The Lopes put the finishing touches on the second win in conference play with a 25-23 win in the third set. The offense saved its best for last as the Lopes hit .600, led by Gianni's seven kills and Slight's 17 assists. Gianni collected 13 of his 15 kills across the final two sets at a .400 hitting clip.

The third set was the closest of the match, featuring seven ties and three lead changes. A 5-1 GCU run was capped off with a block from Rogers and senior middle blocker Rico Wardlow to put GCU ahead 17-14 which was the largest lead the rest of the way. Both teams traded points with a Gianni kill giving the Lopes a 24-22 lead.

BYU closed the gap to one with a block on the following play. After a lengthy review and multiple timeouts, BYU's Teon Taylor served the ball into the net to clinch the win for the Lopes.

GCU will return home to Phoenix, where they will host matches for the first time since Jan. 14. The Lopes will welcome USC to Global Credit Union Arena on Feb. 23 and then to Antelope Gymnasium on Feb. 24.