Grand Canyon plays at home for the final two times in Thursday's 6 p.m. match against San Diego State (12-11, 7-5 Mountain West) and Saturday's 1 p.m. match against UNLV (11-11, 5-7 MW) at Global Credit Union Arena.
The Lopes defeated UNLV (four-set match) and San Diego State (five-set match) on the road earlier this season. All three teams are in close contention with the Mountain West tiebreaker coming down to head-to-head matchups.
AT A GLANCE
- GCU freshman setter/opposite Bella Nunez has posted seven triple-doubles this season, including five in a row to earn consecutive MW Freshman of the Week awards on Oct. 13 and 20.
- The Lopes rank 12th in the country and second in the MW in blocks per set (2.8).
- GCU freshman middle blocker Aubrey Bellus had 14 total blocks, helping GCU set its Division I-era program record of 21 team blocks in the first match against San Diego State on Oct. 16.
- Lopes senior outside hitter Anaelena Ramirez ranks seventh in the GCU DI-era for career kills with 635.
- The Lopes' block total of 223 comes in at ninth in the nation this season.
- GCU junior libero Bella Anderson tallied a career-best 24 digs against San José State.
- Lopes sophomore middle blocker Aubrey Goodere added the GCU DI-era's third-best hitting percentage (.714) against Fresno State.
- Nunez is tied for third in the country in triple-doubles.
LAST TIME OUT
- GCU handed SDSU its first conference loss in a thrilling five-set match on Oct. 16, when GCU had a program-best 21 team blocks.
- The Lopes' four-set road win at UNLV on Oct. 9 was their first conference road match and also the first win during GCU's current 7-1 stretch.
SCOUTING
- UNLV swept Boise State before getting swept by conference leader Utah State last week in Las Vegas.
- San Diego State has lost five of its last six matches after winning the first six in conference play.
WHAT'S NEXT?