Next match:
in southern Utah
October 12, 2024 | 6pm
Saturday, October 12th 6pm
in southern Utah
History ST. GEORGE, Utah – The first of two weekend road games at Grand Canyon was led by the back-row defense, 25-22, 25-22, 20-25, 25-12. I won.
GCU (11-5, 4-1 WAC) has won its last five games against Utah Tech.
Lopez has been dominant so far, posting impressive blocks this week, ranking 13th in the NCAA with 2.78 blocks per set. But they had a strong performance on Thursday night, scoring 77 points, tying the team’s season high.
“It took a solid defensive effort from our team…I thought Utah Tech did a good job utilizing the middle early on,” Lopez head coach Kendra Potts said. “It took us a second, but I’m proud that our defense behind our blocks really stepped up, especially Mikena Nelson, Tatum Parrott and Taylor Kubacak.”
Nelson, a graduate libero, returned to where he played most of his collegiate career and had a team-high 19 blocks, followed by freshman setter Kubacak (17) and junior outside hitter Parrott (15). Finished the night.
“I was really proud to see that aspect of our game step up tonight,” Potts said.
Lopez opened the first set early and tense, eventually clinching an 8-3 run for GCU, but an ace from Parrott capped off a timeout with Utah Tech up 20-14. I was forced to.
At the end of the first set, Parrott was hitting .409 with 10 kills and 2.5 blocks from senior middle Alyssa Uhlenhop.
GCU trailed 7-2 in the second set before retaliating with a 9-2 run to take an 11-9 lead. Junior outside Anaelena Ramirez had 3 of 13 kills during the period, and graduate outside hitter Ashley Lifgren had 10 of her kills in a key run on the night. He won two of those games.
Lopez continued to lead the rest of the set with two late aces from sophomore Bella Andersson and a kill from her opponent, junior Magdalena Juric.
The third set was deadlocked at 13 points apiece, but a 4-0 run by the Trail Blazers gave them enough cushion to end the set at 25-20.
GCU led the final set with a 10-2 run, led by Liffgren, Uhlenhopp, Parrott and Ramirez.
“I pride myself on my ability to make adjustments during a game and recognize who on the team can make a difference at any given time,” Potts said.
Lopez had two players with double-doubles, thanks to Parrott’s 20 kills and 15 digs and Kubacak’s 31 assists and 17 digs.
“I’m proud of Taylor for coming off the bench and running a five-one offense, making some aggressive blocking touches and getting a few stops at the net,” Potts said. “The versatility when you have to make adjustments in-game is huge.”
GCU will now shift its focus to a game at Southern Utah on Saturday at 6 p.m. (Phoenix time). Lopez started this trip tied for third in the WAC, tied for second place, and will now have a chance to claim that spot alone against the Thunderbirds.
“I told the girls to enjoy tonight, but all I’m worried about tomorrow is Southern Utah,” Potts said. “Obviously, as a staff, we’re already starting to learn them and get to know their stuff. They beat Utah Tech, and I think they have some really good pieces and we I think they have a different system than we’ve seen recently. We’re going to do what they do best, and that’s what we expect. ”
