PHOENIX, Ariz. – Juniors Celina Sanks and Nikki Drost along with freshman Rachel Woody combined for 37 kills on Friday night, as the Eastern Kentucky University volleyball team fell to Grand Canyon University, 3-1, on the first night of the GCU Tournament at Antelope Gymnasium.
 
The Lopes won by scores of 25-23, 21-25, 25-15, and 25-22.
 
Sanks led the EKU offense with 15 kills, as Drost added 12 and Woody chipped in 10. Woody's 23 assists led the Colonels, as the freshman picked up her fourth double-double of the young season. The Murrieta, California product entered Friday's match leading the country in triple-doubles after recording two at last weekend's Duke Invitational.
 
Grand Canyon University jumped out to a 1-0 lead, before the Colonels evened the score at one heading into the third set.
 
The Lopes controlled the third, taking the set 25-14. EKU's resiliency was evident as the Colonels battled in the fourth. Eastern Kentucky fought off one match-point as freshman Clairissa Hankinson sent one past the Lopes' defense and pulled the Colonels within two, 24-22. However, GCU clinched the match as Randahl Powers' kill gave the Lopes the victory.
 
The Colonels take on California State University—Fullerton at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday. EKU will play Eastern Washington University in Saturday's nightcap which is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.