Grand Canyon falls short in upset of Ball State

GCU falls short in upset of Ball State

MUNCIE, Ind. -- Grand Canyon (1-6, 0-1) won its first set in the MIVA, but couldn't get the entire match against Ball State (3-1, 1-0) at Worthen Arena Thursday.

Against the nation's preseason No. 11 team, GCU lost 3-1. It won the first set 32-30, before dropping the next three 31-29, 30-23, 30-25.

Freshman libero Trent Bruns (pictured, Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) tied a school mark with 19 digs. In 2009, Kyle Norton had 19 digs in a victory over Warner Mar. 22.

"We played extremely well and we battled with them," said GCU coach Chad Speer.

A kill from sophomore Taylor Griffin (Tucson, Ariz./Ironwood Ridge) gave GCU a first-set lead at 31-30. A Cardinal attack error followed to give GCU a 1-0 lead.

In the second set, there were 13 ties and six lead changes before the Antelopes fell 31-29.

Another Griffin kill, held off a set-point and tied it at 29-29, but Ball State followed with the final two points. There were seven ties and three lead changes in the third set and six more ties in the final set.

For the match, freshman setter Brad Moore (Orange, Calif./Lutheran) finished with 47 assists and 12 digs. Sophomore Brock Hutchins (Gilbert, Ariz./Highland/Hawaii) led in kills with 17. Freshman Robbie Brannick (Minooka, Ill./Minooka) had 14 kills. Frosh Chris Lockwood (Lakewood, Calif./Lakewood) had 11 kills, a .455 attack percentage, three solo blocks, three block assists and two service aces. Griffin had seven kills and nine digs.

GCU takes on defending MIVA champ Ohio State (2-4, 1-0) Friday and Saturday. The Buckeyes are ranked No. 13 in the country and were picked to win this year's conference championship. Both matches begin at 5 p.m. Phoenix time.

"We want to go in and keep building on what we've been doing," added Speer.