9-8-07

Antelopes nab first win, defeat Embry Riddle on road

Now that they’ve got one tucked away, the Antelopes can buckle down.

Grand Canyon University’s volleyball team notched its first win Saturday, beating host Embry Riddle  in Prescott, 30-25, 25-30, 30-23, 26-30, 15-9.

“It’s nice to have that first win,” GCU coach Kris Naber said. “I think it gives the girls confidence to know they can win.”

Senior middle blocker Ashley Bright etched her name into the Grand Canyon record books when she recorded four block solos and four block assists for eight total blocks. Bright now stands seventh all-time in GCU history with 260, passing Lyanna Nakoa’s mark of 258 compiled in 1992-93.

GCU (1-8) hit .190 as a team, and overcame a first game loss to win with not only effort, but character.

“It was good because we lost that first game,” Naber said. “Whether you know it or not, there’s doubt in your mind.”

There was no doubt GCU was going to finish this one off even after Embry Riddle knotted the match at 2-2 with a Game 4 win. The Antelopes cruised to decisive game win to secure a win they probably felt should have come two weeks earlier.

Megan Toth had 18 kills, eight digs and four blocks, Dana Edington 19 kills and three blocks, and Audra Slemmer distributed 45 assists. Aubrie Lussier had 20 digs, Shauna Nieman eight kills and 15 digs, and Shea Robinson 10 kills and eight blocks.

Grand Canyon will play host to the alumni match Saturday at 7 p.m. before hosting Notre Dame de Namur Sept. 25-26 to open the Pacific West Conference schedule.