California Baptist University
3-8
Grand Canyon
4-5
Lancers Down the Lopes
2/3/2017 9:56:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Taking a break from conference, California Baptist University grabbed a three-set sweep over Grand Canyon University (25-20, 25-18, 25-19) Friday night.
The Lancers improve to 3-8 overall, while GCU – which is receiving votes in the latest AVCA poll – drops to 4-5 on the season.
Enrique de Diego Garcia had a near-perfect match, going 10-for-12 in hitting attempts, without committing a single error. He was a perfect 9-for-9 until the final set, finishing with 10 kills and an .833 attacking percentage.
Kevin Vaz also posted 10 kills and a solo stuff on the night, followed by Luis Palos with seven kills and three blocks. Palos and Garcia each grabbed two aces, while Cody Jackson earned one to go along with his 33 assists.
The Lancers came out strong in the first set, maintaining a significant lead over the Lopes for the duration of the set. Vaz came up big in the game, posting five kills while Garcia and Caleb Miller notched three apiece in the 25-20 opening win.
CBU kept up its dominant performance to boast an early, comfortable lead in the second and keep the Lopes' offense at a standstill. Kills from Vaz and Miller put the Lancers in front 23-10, looking like the home team was unstoppable.
GCU managed to battle back into the set, but a Lope service error handed the Lancers the 25-18 win.
An ace by Jackson carried momentum over from the seven-point second set win to the third. GCU couldn't catch its footing, using its timeouts early and giving the Lancers a free point as a Lope was handed a red card.
The Lancers, on the other hand, kept their composure and closed out the set. Blocks by Garcia and Jackson Burge held up the defensive end in the third to put CBU within match point, 24-16.
GCU tried to stay alive, but Vaz powered down a kill to seal the three-set victory.
The Lancers remain at home and return to Mountain Pacific Sports Federation action on Feb. 11 in the Van Dyne Gym, hosting the University of Hawaii at 7 p.m.
