Lopes fall in 4 at CSUN

Wednesday, February 19

Northridge, Calif.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

9-2,0-0MPSF

CSUN

11-2,0-0Big West

Grand Canyon

CSUN

Photo by: Nathan Peters

2/19/2025 11:09:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

GCU looks to refocus toward Friday match at No. 1 Long Beach State

By: Nathan Peters

NORTHRIDGE, Calif – The No. 8 Grand Canyon men's volleyball team lost 3-1 at No. 12 CSUN 3-1 on Wednesday night in the first of two road matches this week.

The Lopes (9-2) struggled in serve receive, allowing eight Matadors service aces to GCU's zero.

Freshman middle blocker Braedon Marquardt was a force for the Lopes with 10 kills on a .643 hitting clip, along with four total blocks and four digs in his second career start.

In the first set, a 4-0 CSUN run gave the home team a 9-4 lead. A 4-1 run from the Lopes brought the set back to striking range, and GCU graduate outside Karter Rogers later landed one of his 11 kills to tighten the CSUN lead to 24-23. An ensuing Matdors kill finished off the first-set win.

CSUN opposite Jalen Phillips finished the set with a kill. Prior to Wednesday's match, Phillips was averaging 4.53 kills per set, ranking second in the country.

The Matadors' service pressure was notable in the second set with two 3-0 runs, eventually winning 25-16 for a 2-0 match lead.

In the third set, the Lopes found rhythm with Marquardt offensively. The Anaheim Hills native was a threat that forced CSUN to adjust, which allowed the Lopes to find graduate opposite Jarrett Anderson and junior outside Trent Moser.

Anderson finished with 10 kills on 26 attempts.

GCU won the third set 25-21 after a Phillips service error.

The Lopes' second point of the fourth came fon a kill from senior middle blocker Cole Duncanson, who had five kills on .333 hitting.

GCU trailed 9-8 before CSUN went on a three-kill run to extend the deficit to four points.

The Lopes eventually responded with an Anderson kill off an assist from junior setter Jaxon Herr, and they stayed within three points for the remainder of the set. Herr finished the match with 38 assists.

Despite GCU's numerous attempts at a run, CSUN made plays when it mattered most and won the fourth set 25-22 to take the match.

The Matadors had 12 blocks, seven more than the Lopes.

GCU will look to regroup Friday with a 2024 NCAA semifinal rematch against No. 1 Long Beach State at Walter Pyramid Friday at 8 p.m. (Phoenix time).