Thorne leads GCU to 12th straight win

Friday, February 23

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

12-0,3-0MPSF

USC

10-5,2-1MPSF

Southern California

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Nate Cochran

2/23/2024 9:56:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

GCU middle blocker finishes with career-high 17 points, 14 blocks

By: Jerob Moon

The good times kept rolling for No. 2 Grand Canyon as they picked up their 12th consecutive win by defeating No. 10 USC 3-1 at Global Credit Union Arena on Friday night.

The Lopes (12-0, 3-0 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) lost the first set but bounced back to win the next three, thanks to a strong defensive showing that held the Trojans (10-5, 2-1 MPSF) to .085 hitting in the final three sets.

GCU sophomore Cameron Thorne had a breakout performance, setting a career high with 17 points and 14 kills. The Hollywood, Florida, native was efficient with season-best .765 hitting while adding six blocks as the reigning MPSF Defensive Player of the Week.

"Cam Thorne is a special athlete," Lopes head coach Matt Werle said. "We know that if our serve receive can put us in a place to give us four option — bic, middle and either pin — we know that any guy can score. We've been harping on (setter Nicholas) Slight a little bit to set the middle more because they are both stellar athletes that can score. Cam was given that opportunity. Nic put him in good places to succeed and Cam put them away."

In their first home match in over a month, the Trojans jumped out to an early lead with a 25-21 first-set win. Both teams started out the match hot offensively with USC hitting .516 while GCU hit .393. The Trojans controlled the pace of play jumping out to a 12-9 lead off a 4-1 run and led the rest of the set.

"It was strange," Werle said. "We got off to a really slow start. Almost looked like deer in headlights with some guys. They snapped out of it and started making plays as the match went on. We're very proud of what we achieved to this point, and I think we were complacent early, but the crowd never let us down."

In front of rowdy 2,067 fans at Global Credit Union Arena, the Lopes began their comeback with a 25-21 second-set win. The Lopes jumped out to a 10-6 lead, but USC responded to tie the match at 11-11. GCU answered with a 4-0 run and held the lead the rest of the set. Throne went 4 for 4 in attacking chances while senior outside hitter Jackson Hickman added three kills with no errors.

GCU was able to take control of the match in the third set with a close 25-23 win for a 2-1 match lead. The set featured 11 ties and three lead changes and it was a late GCU run that clinched it. Tied at 21-21, the Lopes scored four of the final six points with senior outside hitter Karter Rogers and middle blocker Rico Wardlow each recording kills. The Lopes outhit USC .345 to .182 with Throne leading the way with four kills.

The fourth and final set was all Lopes in a 25-15 win. GCU took advantage of a sluggish USC offense that produced only seven kills with eight errors and jumped out to a 14-5 lead, thanks to a 9-1 run. Later in the set, senior outside hitter Camden Gianni extended the lead with two straight aces to stretch the lead to 18-9 and get the fans out of their seats.

"We're just so appreciative of the fans," Werle said. "We're so appreciative of the sport of volleyball in the state of Arizona. I know there was a lot of boys high school teams here tonight along with club teams and girls club teams. We're very grateful and thankful they were here. We've got to make sure we keep putting out an exciting product for them to come back and see."

The Lopes will transition to Antelope Gymnasium for a second game against the Trojans on Saturday. First serve is set for 4 p.m.