Phoenix, AZ (10/11/10) – On the campus of Grand Canyon University, the HPU women's volleyball team lost to the Antelopes, 3-2 (22-25, 15-25, 25-23, 25-19, 15-12). The Sea Warriors fall to 10-4 overall and 4-3 in the PacWest, while GCU improves to 9-11 overall and 5-4 in conference.
Kelly Balanay recorded a match-high 22 kills and five blocks for HPU. Tricia Yoshimura recorded 26 digs and Natasha Bell added 12 kills and 12 digs.
Erica Ehlo paced Grand Canyon with 19 kills.
After a close game one, HPU won game two by 10 points and appeared poised to sweep the 'Lopes. The Sea Warriors held a 7-5 lead in game four but saw GCU run off four straight points to grab an 11-7 lead. The 'Lopes later extended their advantage to 19-10 after a kill by Megan Toth (10 K, 9 D).
HPU led most of the decisive fifth game as Balanay and Courtney Curran (13 K) recorded kills to give their team an 11-9 lead. GCU rallied and clinched the win on a Kaitlynn Ausmus kill (8 K, 16 D).
HPU and GCU face off again tomorrow, October 12. First serve is set for 6:00 p.m. Mountain Time.
