Grand Canyon opens Daytona 100 with win over Limestone

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Grand Canyon opened its four-match trip at the Daytona 100 with a 3-1 victory over Limestone Friday.

The Antelopes (2-8) will play Johnson and Wales later in the evening. GCU won by set scores of 30-21, 30-28, 27-30, 30-25.

Freshman middle hitter Chris Lockwood (Lakewood, Calif./Lakewood) had 10 kills, a .562 attack percentage, four solo blocks and five block assists in the victory.

GCU had 20.5 team blocks (five solos, 31 block assists) in the win. Sophomore Brock Hutchins (Gilbert, Ariz./Gilbert/Hawai'i) had a team-best 14 kills and eight block assists.

Freshman libero Trent Bruns (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) had 15 digs. Freshman setter Brad Moore (Orange, Calif./Lutheran) had 42 assists.

Sophomore Taylor Griffin (Tucson, Ariz./Ironwood Ridge) had 12 kills.

GCU dominated the first set, scoring the first seven points. Limestone got as close as 14-11, but the Antelopes pulled away and ended the match on a kill from freshman Connor Dougherty (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley).

The second set was more competitive, but GCU maintained the lead for most of the contest. Limestone tied it 25-25 before a Dougherty kill gave the Antelopes the lead. Lockwood followed with a kill for a two-point advantage and Griffin had a successful attack later to help seal the victory.

After losing the third set, GCU opened the fourth with a pair of blocks from Griffin and freshman Zach Nielson (Phoenix, Ariz./Sandra Day O'Connor) to take a 3-0 lead. Limestone came back to tie it, 13-13, before consecutive kills from Griffin and Hutchins helped the Antelopes gain advantage for the remainder of the match.

After taking on Johnson and Wales later Friday, GCU will play Lees-McRae and Limestone Saturday.