Grand Canyon Unable to Hold On Against IPFW

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Grand Canyon battled early deficits, picked up late leads, but were unable to defeat IPFW in Saturday's Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association contest at Gates Sports Center Saturday.

The Antelopes lost 3-0 by scores of 30-27, 30-25, 30-26.

In Game 1, GCU (5-10, 0-5) took a 26-25 lead on a block from freshman middle hitter Chris Lockwood (Lakewood, Calif./Lakewood), sophomore outside hitter Taylor Griffin (Tucson, Ariz./Ironwood Ridge) and freshman hitter Robbie Brannick (Minooka, Ill./Minooka), but were able to add just one more point in the set.

In Game 2, the Antelopes trailed 15-10 before coming back to take a 21-20 lead on an IPFW ball handling error. GCU tied the set 25-25 on a kill from freshman outside hitter Connor Dougherty (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley).

Game 3 was much like Game 2. GCU trailed 15-9 and rallied for a 21-21 tie on a kill from sophomore outside hitter Brock Hutchins (Gilbert, Ariz./Highland/Hawai'i) and again at 22-22 on a kill from sophomore middle hitter Brennan Zotovich (Anthem, Ariz./Boulder Creek). An IPFW attack error gave GCU a 24-23 lead.

Hutchins led Grand Canyon with 13 kills (.211). Griffin had 10 (.240). Sophomore middle hitter Nick Jensen (Herning, Denmark/Ikast Gymnasium/NJIT) had eight kills, five block assists and a .400 attack percentage.

Freshman setter Brad Moore (Orange, Calif./Lutheran) had 40 assists and frosh libero Trent Bruns (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) had 12 digs.

Grand Canyon travels to No. 7 Pepperdine Feb. 24.