(Tempe, AZ) The battle for the Valley between Grand Canyon and #8 Arizona State. This has always been a heated rivalry in every head to head sports the Metro Phoenix area.
The Sun Devils have been ranked in thirty consecutive polls since September 2023, which is a school record.
ASU (8-2) came into the Sun Devil Classic weekend leading off with Pepperdine last night. The Devils took care of business sweeping the Waves in straight sets.
Grand Canyon (8-3) recently competed in the Husker Classic in Nebraska beating Drake University and then lost to the host #1 Nebraska.
In the brief seven game series between the two Valley schools, Arizona State is undefeated against the Antelopes.
Set One
Devils got on the board first and put immediate pressure on GCU going up 4-1 with good passing and an ace serve.
The Antelopes battled back to pull within one several times but ASU’s Noemi’s Glover’s height and -power kept ASU on top with her 4 kills at the second break up 15-11.
The Sun Devils began to pull away at 18-12 when GCU called timeout.
Out of the timeout, Arizona State scored 5-4 at 20-14 forcing the Lopes to use another timeout.
Sydney Henry had 9 assists with Glover’s 6 kills was too much for Grand Canyon to overcome falling 25-16.
Set Two
The first play was challenged by Coach J.J. Van Neil on a kill shot ruled out of bounds for an Antelope point but was reversed for a 1-0 Devils’ lead.
This set stayed close early within a point or two until Ella Lewis scored a service ace now up 8-5.
Grand Canyon’s offense was still trying to solve the Sun Devils’ tall front line down 7-11. Aubrey Bellus’ kill drew the Lopes within three 9-12, but again ASU’s Bailey Miller and Ella Lomigora kill shots that led to a GCU timeout down 10-18.
Down 16-23, the Lopes ran off three straight points, but again ASU finished them off 25-19.
The power of the Arizona State hitters at the end of the second set had a 29-22 lead in kills and a hitting percentage of .386 to GCU’s .179
Devils up 2-0 in sets.
Set Three
ASU feeling it came out smoking to a 5-0 lead before the Antelopes saw it slipping away called a timeout after two Colby Neal service aces.
Things got no better as the Devils’ serving, passing, blocking and kills kept their foot on the gas up 12-4 before another Grand Canyon timeout.
Out of the timeout, the Lopes ran off a 6-3 run, but still wasn’t in striking distance of Arizona State.
The Sun Devils regrouped showing why they’re the #8 team in the nation matching the GCU run and up 19-11.
One of the few bright spots saw the Lopes win a challenged call but still down 12-20.
ASU made quick work of the set from there winning 25-14 to sweep the match 3-0 sets.
Tonight’s attendance was 4,753 and the Sun Devils stay unbeaten against their cross town rivals and bragging rights for the Valley.
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