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Opposite Camden Gianni came through once again in a big moment for No. 2/2 Grand Canyon.
Gianni delivered the match-winning kill in the third-game overtime as Grand Canyon swept No. 10/10 USC 25-18, 25-21, 30-28 on Saturday in Phoenix, Arizona to remain the only undefeated in the nation.
The All-MPSF opposite finished with a match-high 12 kills on a .333 attack percentage in front of a home crowd of 1,021 people.
This was the seventh time in the last 11 matches that Gianni had double-digit kills and hit more than .300. Gianni entered this two-match series in the nation’s top 20 with a 3.50 kills per game average.
Setter Nicholas Slight guided the offense to out-hit USC .381 to .231 and was highlighted with a match-best .565 attack percentage in the opening game. In addition, Antelopes (13-0, 4-0 MPSF) had three players with double-digit kills to complete the two-match series sweep against Trojan.
Outside attacker Karter Rogers had 10 kills on a .500 attack percentage. Outside attacker Jackson Hickman added 12 kills, including kills on three consecutive USC game-point opportunities in the third game.
Middle attacker Rico Wardlow also had nine kills on a match-best .667 attack percentage.
Along with the offensive performance, Warlow had a match-high two aces with the final ace coming in the third-game overtime to set up the first of two match-point opportunities for the Antelopes.
Libero Cooper Herndon led all players defensively with 12 digs and did not commit a reception error.
Middle attacker Wesley Smith in the loss had a match-high six blocks. The Trojans (9-6, 2-2 MPSF) finished with 10 blocks – three more blocks than the Antelopes.
Wesley also contributed seven kills on a team-best .600 attack percentage.
Grand Canyon with this remains in sole possession of first place in the MPSF. In addition, the Antelopes remain in contention for the program’s first No. 1 national ranking when the media poll and coaches poll are released next week.