Lopes secure sweep Friday against CUI

Friday, March 14

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

12-5,1-2MPSF

Concordia Irvine

6-12,0-3MPSF

CUI

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Chris Baumgardner

3/14/2025 8:30:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

Duncanson tallies 5 service aces in GCU's 1st MPSF win

By: Nathan Peters

The Grand Canyon men's volleyball team returned to Antelope Gymnasium for just the second time this season and secured a dominant sweep over Concordia Irvine in a decisive three-set victory.

The Lopes' offense was strong, hitting .395 for the match while controlling play with consistent runs. GCU (12-5) closed out the match with set scores of 25-23, 25-13, and 25-19.

Junior outside hitter Trent Moser led the way with 13 kills on .333 hitting.

"Trent finds a way to make plays when we need a side out or kill," Lopes coach Jon Girten said. "He is very creative offensively and had some good matchups that he was able to exploit."

The first set was closely contested, featuring six ties and three lead changes before GCU pulled away late. Freshman outside hitter Connor Oldani landed a crucial kill down the stretch leading to two CUI errors to seal the 25-23 win.

The Lopes controlled the second set from the start, using a 7-0 run to take a commanding lead. Middle blocker Cole Duncanson was dominant from the service line, recording multiple aces during the stretch. GCU's blocking was also key, as they held CUI to just six kills in the set while taking it 25-13.

Duncanson was a key contributor, tallying five kills while hitting .714. Junior Setter Jaxon Herr directed the offense with 36 assists and added five blocks.

The final set saw Concordia Irvine fight back, but GCU maintained control, using a balanced offensive effort to stay ahead. With Moser and Jarrett Anderson leading the attack, the Lopes closed out the match with a 25-19 win.

Defensively, libero Cooper Herndon led GCU with nine digs. The Lopes also pressured CUI from the service line, tallying eight total aces. Duncanson's five aces ties Camden Gianni for fifth in GCU history for single-match service aces.

"A great serving night for Dunc (Duncanson)," Girten said. "He works really hard at his craft and especially his serve has been a huge focus for him so tonight was a product of the work that he has been putting in. It was great to see him as we really needed all five of those aces to kind of break that second set open and keep the lead in the first and third."

The win marks the first for the Lopes in MPSF play this season.

GCU will return to action on Saturday at 6 p.m. for a rematch against CUI at the Global Credit Union Arena.