Lopes move past CUI in opening tournament match

Wednesday, April 23

Malibu, Calif.

5 p.m.

Grand Canyon

18-9,6-6MPSF

(8) CUI

10-19,3-9MPSF

CUI

Grand Canyon

Malibu, Calif. April 23, 2025 : The Lopes beat Concordia 3 sets to 0 during the second round of the MSPF Tournament at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. David Kadlubowski/GCU

Photo by: David Kadlubowski

4/23/2025 8:08:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

No. 11 GCU faces No. 8 Pepperdine on Waves' court at 5 p.m. Thursday

By: Nathan Peters

MALIBU, Calif. – Grand Canyon men's volleyball opened the first round of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship with a sweep over Concordia Irvine, winning 25–19, 25–20, 26–24 on Wednesday night at Firestone Fieldhouse. The Lopes hit an impressive .416 and improved to 18–9.

GCU graduate outside hitter Jarrett Anderson led the way with a match-high 10 kills on .643 hitting, adding three digs and a block. The Lopes' offensive rhythm was orchestrated by junior setter Jaxon Herr, who dished out 29 assists while adding 11 digs and five block assists. GCU junior outside hitter Trent Moser chipped in 11 kills and two blocks, while freshman middle blocker Braedon Marquardt and junior outside hitter Cole Ottmar each contributed six kills and three blocks.

The Lopes advance to a MPSF Championship quarterfinal against fourth-seeded host Pepperdine at 5 p.m. Thursday in Firestone Fieldhouse.

The Lopes controlled the tempo of Wednesday's win from the opening whistle, tallying 13 kills in each of the first two sets and closing the match with 14 kills in the third set on .423 hitting. Their defense stood strong with 32 digs and 8 1/2 blocks, limiting the Golden Eagles to just .104 hitting on the night.

GCU coach Bryan Dell'Amico credited Concordia's effort and acknowledged the challenge they presented.

"Concordia has been one of those teams over the years that have really kind of been an Achilles' heel for us," Dell'Amico said. "They came out with much better energy and defensive intensity than we did. We had to really kind of pick our game up to match them. I think we finally settled in halfway through that first set. They just weren't going to let their season go without a fight."

With a few starters sidelined due to illness, Dell'Amico praised the team's depth.

"It's always the next man up mentality for us," he said. "(Freshman middle blocker) Trevell Jordan's not feeling great right now, but Braedon came in and played well. When your number's called, be ready to go."

Anderson, who anchored the offense with consistent swings, also played a pivotal role at the net.

"A little bit more on my shoulders tonight, but nothing crazy," Anderson said. "Just had to put the ball down, find some spots and continue to be aggressive and do my thing. Try to put up a good block, try to stop some balls. As you saw, they were scrappy tonight and aggressive as well."

GCU played Pepperdine twice earlier in the season, with the Waves taking each match in four sets. The Lopes won five of their next six matches after the latter loss to Pepperdine.

"The Waves are going to be at their home court, so they're going to bring the fire, as we saw earlier in the season," Anderson said. "But we're going to do our best to try to get the job done."