Tough road trip concludes with Pepperdine persisting

Friday, February 28

Malibu, Calif.

8 p.m.

Grand Canyon

9-5,0-2MPSF

Pepperdine

10-3,2-0MPSF

Grand Canyon

Pepperdine

Photo by: Slate Mitchell

2/28/2025 11:50:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

Lopes return home from 2 losses vs. Waves to host No. 20 Penn State

By: Nathan Peters

MALIBU, Calif – The No. 12 Grand Canyon men's volleyball team put up a strong effort but fell 3-1 to No. 9 Pepperdine for the second consecutive night Friday at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu, California.

Despite strong individual performances, the Lopes (9-5, 0-2 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) couldn't contain the Waves' offensive firepower, especially during critical runs that shifted momentum.

The first set was a back-and-forth battle featuring 15 ties, but Pepperdine won it late with a 3-0 run to take the opener 30-28. Ryan Barnett led the Waves with 23 kills on .409 hitting.

GCU responded with a dominant stretch in the second set. A Lopes 5-1 surge was sparked by kills from senior outside hitter Karter Rogers and junior outside hitter Trent Moser.

Moser had nine kills with six digs and a service ace on the evening.

The GCU offense continued to roll through the set with a kill by graduate opposite Jarrett Anderson paving the way for set point.

A combined block coming from Rogers and senior middle blocker Cole Duncanson clinched the set 25-20 to even the match at a set apiece.

Rogers went on to have a 11 kills on a .320 clip while Duncanson closed the night with eight kills on .667 hitting.

In the third set, Pepperdine used a 4-0 run midway through the set to swing momentum and win the set 25-20 for a 2-1 match lead. The Lopes attempted to keep pace, but the Waves' attack was very efficient, hitting 65 kills on .364 team hitting.

GCU freshman middle blocker Trevell Jordan delivered10 kills on a career-high .588 clip.

The fourth set showcased an early Pepperdine run. A 6-1 stretch by the nation's secon- best hitting team put GCU on its heels, and the home squad eventually took the 25-17 set win and match victory despite adjustments from the Lopes.

Junior setter Jaxon Herr finished with 36 assists for GCU, while Anderson contributed nine kills and six digs. The Lopes outblocked the Waves 9-4, but Pepperdine's late-set execution proved to be the difference.

GCU will return home after four straight road matches to host Penn State on March 8 and 9.