RENO, Nev. -- Zach Puentes tallied team-highs in both kills and digs but 11th-ranked Grand Canyon held off Belmont Abbey 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-16) on the first day of the Silver Showcase. All four tournament teams were in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
With the result, the Crusaders fall to 1-3 on the season, while Lopes improve to 6-1.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Puentas hit .160 with his kill total offset by seven errors in 25 attempts. He added six digs to his stat line.
- Jibriel Elhaddad connected at a team-high .462 pace with seven kills and an error in 13 chances. He also added three blocks (one solo).
- Joseph Morris led the offense with 23 assists.
- Ryan Charles served the only ace for the Crusaders, who tallied 13 service errors.
- Grand Canyon out-hit Belmont Abbey .324 to .103.
UP NEXT
- The Showcase continues tomorrow at 3 p.m. (ET) when the Crusaders face Fort Valley State. The final match nightcap of the event features The Abbey against top-ranked Long Beach State.
- The second contest is a rematch from the opening round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament, won 3-0 by the Beach.