Grand Canyon splits with Clarke, Hope International

Grand Canyon split with two of the top NAIA men's volleyball programs in the country Monday during the first day of the GCU Invitational at Antelope Gym.

GCU lost twice, but played well, over the weekend to NAIA No. 1 Cal Baptist, which owns wins over Pepperdine and UCLA on back-to-back nights.

On Monday, GCU lost to NAIA No. 3 Clarke College 3-1, then rallied in the evening to beat No. 2 Hope International 3-1.

The Antelopes lost their early match by set scores of 31-29, 28-30, 30-26, 30-22. In their victory, they won 30-21, 30-26, 26-30, 36-34.

Against Clarke, GCU was led by Brock Hutchins (Gilbert, Ariz./Highland/Hawai'i) with 17 kills. Taylor Griffin (Tucson, Ariz./Ironwood Ridge) had 11. Setter Brad Moore (Orange, Calif./Lutheran) had 44 assists, while Chris Lockwood (Lakewood, Calif./Lakewood) set a new school mark with 11 block assists.

Moore and Trent Bruns (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) each had 11 digs. Off the bench, Connor Dougherty (Aurora, Ill./Wabonise) had seven kills.

In the win over the second-ranked Royals, GCU was led by Hutchins with 24 kills. Sophomore Nick Jensen (Herning, Denmark/Ikast Gymnasium/NJIT) had 19 kills. Lockwood added 14 and Griffin 11.

Moore tied the school mark he set Saturday in a 3-2 loss to CBU with 65 assists.
Bruns added 17 digs and Griffin had 10 digs. Lockwood had four solo blocks and two assists.
GCU will play Clarke Tuesday at 1 p.m. and HIU Tuesday at 7 p.m.