Grand Canyon Falls to No. 1 Pepperdine

MALIBU, Calif. -- Against the No. 1 team in the country, Grand Canyon University lost to Pepperdine 3-0 at Firestone Fieldhouse Wednesday. The Antelopes (5-11) lost by set scores of 30-15, 30-20, 30-21.

GCU sophomore Brock Hutchins (Gilbert, Ariz./Highland/Hawai'i) had 15 kills. Sophomore Taylor Griffin (Tucson, Ariz./Ironwood Ridge) had nine kills and six digs. Freshman libero Trent Bruns (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) had 13 digs, while frosh setter Brad Moore (Orange, Calif./Lutheran) had 35 assists.

GCU led briefly in the first set, 1-0, on a Nick Jensen (Herning, Denmark/Ikast Gymnasium/NJIT) kill.

The Antelopes had their best performance in the second set. Hutchins had kills to give the team leads at 1-0 and 2-1. Jensen's successful attack gave GCU a 3-2 lead. The top-ranked Waves took the lead but not complete command. GCU forced ties at 10, 11, 14, 15 and 16. The latter two on Pepperdine service errors. To tie the match at 14-14, Griffin and sophomore Brennan Zotovich (Anthem, Ariz./Boulder Creek) combined on a block.
Zotovich had two block assists for the match. Jensen added six kills.

GCU returns home for six matches in five days. The Antelopes play host to NAIA powerhouse Cal Baptist -- which beat Pepperdine early in the season -- Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. both nights at Antelope Gym.

The inaugural GCU Invitational is Mar. 1-2. The Antelopes welcome Clarke College and Hope International. On March 1, GCU takes on Clarke at 1 p.m. and HIU at 7 p.m. On March 2, it takes on HIU at 1 p.m. and Clarke at 7 p.m. On both days, Clarke and Hope International play at 4 p.m.