IRVINE, Calif. – There was no shortage of excitement on Friday as the Concordia University Irvine men's volleyball team took down No. 9 Grand Canyon in a three set sweep. All three sets were a challenge for each team but the Eagles prevailed over the Lopes with close scores of 25-21, 36-34, and 25-23.
 
Senior Owen Chun couldn't be stopped by the Lopes as he finished the match with 24 kills while hitting an outstanding .537. Chun led the Eagles not only in kills but also had four aces and adding four digs to his mark. The Hawai'i native surpassed his own career records that were previously 18 kills and one ace from this season.
 
Outside hitter Jonathan Carlson had an impressive night as well contributing nine kills and nine digs. Carlson tied his season high of three aces that GCU could not return. Both players Carlson and Erik Boisvert played a big role in the back row receiving almost 35 serves and not letting one ball go down or give GCU a break with an ace.
 
Middles Max McCullough and Gil Herold had three kills each and combined for five blocks including one solo from Herold. McLain Mott dished out 39 assists while Kobe Kiley played in the libero position and scooped up four digs.   
 
Chun started out the gates as he put up three kills and one ace to take an early 4-2 lead. The Lopes were able to keep within a couple points until Carlson went to the back line to go on a five point run to take a five point lead over the Lopes. The Green and Gold held GCU to take the first set 25-21.
 
CUI took an early lead again in the second but the Lopes slowly made their way back into the set trailing by only three with a score 23-20. Grand Canyon went on a four point run to take a lead by one but luckily a service error ended their stint with a tied score at 24 a-piece. The set continued to go back-and-forth between the two teams with hitting and serving errors from each to keep them within one point. The second set was a battle between CUI and GCU as the score toggled with each time until a kill from Carlson and a hitting error from the Lopes gave the Eagles a 36-34 win.
 
The third set was no different than the other two and was a nail biter until the end. GCU took an early 13-8 lead but the Eagles kept pushing away at the score and a couple hitting errors by the Lopes tied the set up at 15 all. Things were looking in favor for GCU as they took a 23-20 lead but errors from the opposing team and an ace from Chun finished the set and match with a score 25-23.
 
The Eagles will be back in the CU Arena Saturday, Mar. 26 as they take on No. 9 GCU again with a slated time of 7 p.m.
 
To see the full CUI men's volleyball schedule click HERE.